Photography by
Tim Webster

Structural Installation + Live AudioVisual Performance

Performed on 9th + 16th October, 2003

Undercroft of the Plaza building, Australia Square, Sydney

 

For this series of free performances, Cicada investigated a well-known city-space, which was re-configured into an immersive audiovisual environment, making use of the imposing and enclosing structure to explore the subliminal emotions of the community that traverses the space on a daily basis. Through projected image and sound, Re_Squared explored the notion of creating spontaneous public space.

 

During Re_Squared performances, the space transformed. Real-time manipulated video, mapped exactly to the oblique surfaces surrounding the viewer on five sides, redefined the space with texture and light. Audiovisual micro-narratives constantly raised their heads, only to fall back into an abstract sea of sound and image. The live, surround sound audio performance and sound design explored the subsonic possibilities of a space that has many abrupt surfaces, but at the same time, many voids.

 

The audio and video conjoined to produce a series of emotional states, some beautiful, some deeply uneasy, drawing inspiration from the imaginations of city-dwellers.

Video: Kirsten Bradley + Nick Ritar
Audio: Ben Frost

Re_Squared projected the city back onto itself, concrete onto concrete, reflecting its textures and terrors, visually fetishising everyday urban existence.

Review - Realtime (Gail Priest)

 

Re_ Squared was presented in partnership between the Museum of Contemporary Art (as part of Primavera 2003 ), and the City of Sydney (as part of Art & About).

audiovisual architecture for better living