Two Birds on a Wire
2022-2024
running time: 21:33
4-channel video installation / Color / Stereo
Two Birds on a Wire is a 4-channel video installation that follows 2 main protagonists, Caveman and Spaceman. At the outset, both these characters find a certain dissatisfaction with their lives. Then, out of the blue, a certain solution presents itself. It is a seductive vision of what things could be. They each set out to capture and put into practice this idea in their lives. In doing so they realize than in order to regain that spark they will need to take on characteristics from the other, in effect, bridging the divide until who’s to say who is ‘spaceman’ and who is ‘caveman’.
An alternate way to think of these two characters is that they, in some way, define what an idea is. When we have an idea, the early stages are luminous and wonderful; the idea is the best thing in the world, its immateriality is perfect. In that way it mirrors "Spaceman": everything is in the head, it's all ideal. But when the time comes to communicate this idea, to bring it into the world, it all falls apart. The messy aspects of the real world make themselves known. One mucks about to give it some form, it takes on its own life, always different and separate than that glowing original idea. That's the "Caveman" part, banging sticks together to try to get that spark back.
with:
Stephen Leupolt and John Taylor
and:
Daniel Coo, James Ferreira, , Courtenay Field, Jevin Mathew, Carol Ann Matus, Rain Packota, Reece Presley, Amit Sharma, Isaac Towell, Darius Zee
production assistants:
Mado Gianni, Cleve Schmalz
sound recording:
Johnny Chau, Michael Curtis
lighting:
Roberto Lambrano, Rafael Zoto
original score:
Jacob Maloney
vocalist:
Clara Hanson
make-up/fx:
Eleanor Vaz
costume design:
Roxanne Ignatius
choreography:
Seanna Bailey
special thanks:
City DanceCorps, Pascal Levin, The Bunker Performance Space