The multi-screen-installation of ‚Money and the Greek‘ premiered mid July 2012 in Athens.
Version 1.0 – 1.2(*) of the installation is shown at Beton7 gallery from July 12, 2012 to September 8, 2012.
The installation consists of four screens: a main screen and three satellites. The main screen is the heart of the installation, the viewer can interact with the installation here. The display of the satellites depends on the main screen, for example, it may show a prolonged version of whatever happens on the main screen. The satellites quote and comment the main screen, they create another perspective and thus question the cinematic truth of the main screen.
The Athens installations is spread over two rooms. You enter the installation through the first room, which is very large. Two walls facing each other show two satellite video images. The audio track of the main screen (which cannot be seen) can be heard but not understood, as it is too low. The language spoken is Greek or German. The viewer might guess, that the two images belong together. It doesn’t make much sense (yet). It is a pleasure to watch – the images on the satellites are rather cinematic.
The second room, which is smaller and more intimate, contains two more screens, which are not visible from the other room. One of the screens is the source of the sound that was audible in the large room. Now it is loud and clear, with subtitles on the main screen. There are seating accommodations, a computer mouse is located here. The visitor can use it to interact with the installation. The visitor can select interviews or stories.
Teaser images show the selection on the main screen. If the viewer is not active, the installation moves on automatically. One of the satellite screens is located on the right side of the main screen. Along with each new video on the main screen, this satellite screen shows a new image. The image matches whatever can be seen on the main screen, the viewer can understand the connection. One of the wonderful aspects about the setup in Athens is that you can see yet another screen in the first room from the central viewpoint (the seating area). The viewer realizes, that this second screen interacts with the main screen as well, and that all screens belong together. However, the viewer can never observe all four screens simultaneously. He or she can merely assume that the fourth screen is related as well. We have witnessed viewers who ran into the other room to check this theory. In fact it is true: everything is interconnected, you just cannot see it at the same time.
The setup of the installation was inspired by the architectural conditions. Of course it would also work if you would arrange all screens in one single room. The installation can be customized according to the conditions of each individual location.
Please view and listen to the selected interviews, personal snapshopts and the little adventures and decide, which clip will be played next.
(*) versions:
The team in Berlin continued to work on the installation, while it was already on display. People continued to rate clips, which allowed new clips to be in the installation. The installation was hooked up to the internet, updates were made regularly remotely.