2008 – Public Display of Affection

2008
Participative Video Installation

The installation runs at Newcastle's Laing Art Gallery from the 17th until the 25th May. On the first evening 40 couples from the audience take part in the installation. Thanks to the gallery and all the participants for their help, support and affection.

Public Display of Affection is a combination of video installation and live art project and it is aimed to audience participation. A dedicated automated film set recording spinning travelling scenes and allowing visitors to perform scenes of kisses in the very Hollywood style.

The concept is based on a cinematographic technique from commercial films, widely used in feature films since the 1960s, which consists of a circular movement of the camera around the subject, usually combined with blurred light and orchestral music. It is mainly used in scenes intended to be important moments of spiritual uplift, such as great achievements, mystical discoveries or the apotheosis of love. Many of the scenes in which this effect is used involve the two main characters of the film finally kissing after overcoming a series of reversals of fortune.

The installation consists of a film set with a video recorder that reproduces this cinematographic effect for visitors who wish to participate. Couples stand on one spot of the set and are recorded with film lighting, orchestral music and circular movements as they kiss, hug or cuddle in front of the camera. Dedicated software manages the timing of when the camera starts recording, the lights dim and the music fades in and out. Standard takes last 30 seconds. The images are recorded on tape and displayed live on a monitor. The recording is a "moment of fascination" for the participants and the audience.

Public Display of Affection reflects on the image of the world and the perception of reality we have through the narrative devices of the media, and on the concept of intimacy in the public sphere. It gives participants the opportunity to experience the boundaries between reality and fiction.

Forty-two couples took part during four days of May 2007 at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle, sixty-three couples were recorded at Galeria Moriarty in Madrid, February 2010

Some images of the clips
Video documentation of the installation at Laing Gallery

Theory text by Stéphanie DAUGET (pdf in French)