Great again as per usual! We mostly tried to collect research this time as this is the main thing we are lacking, so books, illustrations etc were at the top of our priority. We left with a fair few interesting books that can be put into the installation either as ripped-out pages or in their entirety.
Other things we got include:
Super 8 Camera
A eumig which looked in good working order but we have later realised it has a cracked and loose filter inside. We may try and use it anyway.
Speakers
A pair of 1970's sanyo speakers in great condition for only £1, not necessary but couldn't resist! Im sure we will use them in some way or another.
Trunk
Lamp
Wimbledon Car Boot 4
Materials
We have now collected a few key bits of scrap metal to build the machines out of.
Square Tank
James got this square metal tank from near his home in Somerset, it will be great for the boot machine due to its size and aged aesthetic. The fact that it is metal will ensure we attain the sound we are looking to achieve through this machine.
Boiler
I got hold of a boiler from a family friend back in Southampton. It could be used as the body of the Praxinoscope machine. It is copper and it would be interesting to investigate ways of ageing it prematurely so that it will tarnish and become greener in colour.
VHS Loop Testing
We spent today testing various ways to loop VHS tape and it turns out it is a lot harder than we anticipated.
Following our schematics laid out in our research and pre production folders we took apart a VCR and tried to create a loop in the same way that a film or reel-to-reel audio loop works. Our tests were unsuccessful as VCR's are cleverer than we thought! They really do not like being manipulated and are not as simple as older projectors and reel-to-reel players.
For this reason we have decided to instead use vhs tapes and record the footage over an over again in extended play, on a 4 hour tape we will be able to squeeze 8 hours into it doing this. The work will not be exhibited any longer than 8 hours a day so this works out fine, we will just rewind the tapes over night. Another advantage to this is that it takes up less room than a loop so we will not be prohibited by any possible issues with space.
All in all I am a disappointed we will not be having the visual aesthetic of a loop but I am happy that we have a solid back up, guaranteed to work.
Wimbledon Car Boot 3
This time round Wimbledon was the best yet! We got hold of an incredible amount of stuff and for unbelievably cheap.
8mm Viewer
This viewer is interesting because it has a large screen like a television monitor, could be a great bridge between the various technologies within the installation.
Box of vinyl records
Not sure if this will be relevant with this project but a proposed project we have been working on outside of this one involves the gramophone we used in 'Waiting Room'.
Various Books
Journals on Supernatural Topics
Mannequin Arms
Again, we are not sure whether these can be used in this project but they look fantastic.
Binoculars
These will be built into the praxinoscope machine.
Weighing Scales
These could work well with the DIY tools on display.
Magnifying Lamp
We had an idea where we could play a VHS through the viewfinder of the camera and magnify it using this lamp. It would have a Brazil-esque look to it which would work nicely with the bizarre and unnerving environment we will create.
schedule
Schedule: 13 – 19 of March 2010
Sat 13.03
Wimbledon 09:00
Sun 14.03
Woolwich 11:00 + Compile PDF + Brick Lane
Mon 15.03
UNI 10:00 – 18:00 VHS loops (Email Woolwich)
Tues 16.03
UNI 11:00 – 19:00 Exact machine designs + blueprints (Email Rich Simkins)
Wed 17.03
Wellcome Collection Library 12:00 – 20:00 Shoot plan / Narrative / Research *BRING APPLICATION FORM*
Thu 18.03
Andy at work, Day off
Fri 19.03
UNI 12:00 – 18:00 Praxinoscope prototype / Tutorial 3:00 / Plan next week
Chapel Visit postponed
The chapel visit with Justine from Wandsworth was unfortunately cancelled yesterday.
It will be postponed until the week beginning 22nd March. Disappointing, but at least we will still view it and potentially gain access to the space.
VHS Footage
James and Faysal sent me a link to some tests they did with the Panasonic VHS camera. I wasn't at theirs at the time, which is where the camera is currently being kept but their friend came over with some blank VHS tapes and they couldn't resist!
Original Video - More videos at TinyPic
The footage is everything I had hoped for. I have been wanting to achieve a degraded VHS aesthetic for a long time with my work and this is absolutely perfect, it has the potential to be used in this and further projects. With the abundance of VHS tapes available as most people get rid of all their old equipment their opens up a world of possibilities and experimentation. To me, this is the most exciting development in the project so far. I was pretty gutted I couldn't be their for the initial testing of the camera but am glad it has been done successfully.
VHS Test
After the boot sale we tried to get the VHS cameras up and running, the Sony which was in the best condition immediately turned out to be betamax (even though I asked the seller and he insisted it wasn't...the thing is called a betamovie, should have seen that one coming!) The two Fergusons do not have batteries and did not respond to being plugged into the mains via a DC adaptor. The one that prevailed and proved its worth however was the most beaten up of them all, a Panasonic.
***IMAGE***
As you can see from the photo, the camera is covered in muck which looks like mould. It smells slightly of Urine but we have convinced ourselves it is just damp. It works with a deck which is powered by the mains, the battery is dead so shoots will have to be indoors. We did not have any blank VHS tapes at the time so couldn't test it any further than turning it on and watching James' Space Jam video through the viewfinder of the camera. This worked so recording should also...we hope!
Wimbledon Car Boot 2
Our second trip to Wimbledon was incredible. The sun was out, it was the first of the month and it was PACKED! We were a bit overwhelmed at first but then got stuck in and bought some really great stuff.
Pulleys
***IMAGE***
These can be used for lifting mechanisms.
Pressure Gauge
***IMAGE***
Could look great as part of one of the machines perhaps
Grinder
***IMAGE***
This has a fantastic aesthetic and creaky sound when you turn the lever
Foot Pedal
***IMAGE***
Could be used as some sort of activating switch
Twin Cassette Deck
***IMAGE***
This will be a good way of re-recording audio to degrade the quality of it
VHS Cameras
***IMAGE***
These are in a debatable state of working order but were a great find and perfect as they are full sized rather than VHS-C.
Battery Rust Liquid
I came across this video today and thought it would be a good way of making horrible, old looking rusty liquid that could be put in jars etc to dress the installation. I suggest listening to it with the volume down, for some reason the music in the background is Riverdance!?!
Wimbledon Car Boot
Went to Wimbledon Car Boot in search for materials. We found quite a lot of great stuff!
Fishing Reels
These could be used as pulley systems in the machines, with motors attached to them to enable movement. This would fit with the intended DIY aesthetic.
Books
Bag of Tools
These are going to be useful in both the building of the piece and in the appearance of a workshop in the finalised installation.
Valve Radio/Amplifier
Perhaps the most interesting find was this radio/amp. We got it on the cheap and thought it would be worth a shot, half way round the boot fair we were approached by an eccentric old chap who really seemed to know his stuff. He said it looked in great condition, despite the battered exterior and it should work well...in his words 'attach a pair of big cabinet speakers and you'l hear it in your bollocks rather than your teeth!'. Sounds great!
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