Departures, Performance & Video, Liverpool JMU, Nicola Smith, 2010

Airports represent the ultimate non-place, a space where temporarily nobody knows me and I know no one else. The airport architecturally and psychologically offers a release from the daily routine entering into a streamline of time and space, with the function of simply getting you from one place to the next. In my final piece I have combined using a live art presence with video and the context has been inspired by film footage I shot of a plane being prepared for take off at Hong Kong airport; which I see as a visual metaphor for my underlying anxiety of being an artist, portraying feelings of not making it, not taking off, and never reaching my destination. I have used the video as the framework for my performance and experimented with editing the material playing with the speed, duration and sequencing of the time line. It is my intention to disturb the unfolding of time and to involve the audience dissolving the fourth wall and bringing people directly into the work.
I have used the Cuban song 'Guantanamera' in my performance, which played when I was filming at Hong Kong airport although I was unaware of the songs origins although I assumed it maybe Mexican, Spanish or Cuban. The lyrics to the song have different interpretations. However, I am interested in how the words in the chorus are referred to as 'guajira' (the Cuban rhythm) a rhythmic structure rather than the words being a literal translation of something. Whilst researching the song I found many versions, even a cover performed by the 1960's Liverpool band, Jerry & the Pacemakers. I have used 'Guantanamera' as it is a cheerful song which reminds me of summer holidays, it is also a trace material from my experience of going to China. In my final piece I want to take the audience on a journey, yet leave them with a sense of never being taken anywhere.

This work has been supported by Arts Council England

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• performance
• video
• plane
• singing
• dancing
• departures
• nicola
• smith