May 1st, NYC Marble Cemetery

Invitation to a performance (beta test)
Recently I’ve been developing new ideas and technology on the topic of ‘site specific cinema’ . The idea is to watch moving image material that have a direct relation to the site of watching. I’ve been inspired by watching many films and having a slight deja vu when stumbling upon the places that the film was shot. Also ‘audio guided walk’ projects by Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller as well as mobile and locative projects by Blast Theory have been a great inspiration.

Using small media devices such as laptop, mp3 player, phones, I want to create a participatory experience of watching film that challenging the boundary of reality and representation. The goal is to use the media devices to create a social situations, not an isolated experience, thus some aspects of the performance involves audience participation and engagement with the site, performer (artist) and other audience. By literally taking film out of the cinema house, I want to explore the possibility of creating an immersive cinematic experience in the public space.

On May 1st, I will have a first beta test of the technology and script, I invite you to come join the project at its infant stage. There is much uncertainty about what will happen, due to the site specificity and dependency on a prototype software. However, the essential objectives will be pursued by:

1. When you RSVP by Thursday to taeyoon at eyebeam dot org , I will send you a file: a piece of software and a video.
2. You will need to bring a laptop with fully charged battery and the software and headphone or earphone.
3. We will meet at New York City Marble Cemetery at 1pm in May 1st. We will check if technology is working properly.
4. If NYC Marble Cemetery is open (as noted on their website*), we will start the performance. It will take roughly 30 minutes.
5. When completed, we will enjoy the sun.

The piece (in progress) is about feeling of presence-being with someone, living – not as a means of defying death – but embracing it and etc.

*The project is based on the site of NYC Marble Cemetery, which is only open twice a year. I have not got any response from them about this year’s open hours, so there can be last minute change of the project if the place is not open for some reason. The project will take a different shape if the site is closed.

This project, like most of my work this year, is supported by Eyebeam Art and Technology Center.