"Gathering" at Fabrica 16th November 2011

As I was in Brighton and heading back to the station, I thought it would be a good idea to quickly look what was happening at Fabrica. I walked in to find a huge two sided screen of which one side was blank. It seemed to play a movie that was created by Melanie Manchot called "Gathering". The artist was both interested in incidents that examined collective identities, codes and behaviours in public space. Melanie wanted to examined mass democratic expression to parade and protest that swept across Europe and the Middle East from anti cuts protests in the UK to the Arab Spring.

I sat down in the dark with a huge projection infront of me.It took a long time to try and understand what the film was all about. The first was called "Walk Square 2011" and focused upon 1000 kids and 13 schools all gathering in one area of space. The key area seemed to be a huge "Gathering" somewhere where public would be able to see them. I believe It was set in Hamburg. 

The first film clip "Walk (Square)" showing from far away onto the crowd.

Everyone was rotating in a circle. The camera angle was very far away and gave an unusual touch to me because you could hear the sound of the crowd as if you were standing in the centre of the circle. Suddenly the sound drops to silence and the camera view starts to pan around from the perspective of the middle of the circle. Soon after the sound picked up and everyone had smiles upon their faces as they start to walk round in a square. I was very confused by the next action because the kids disperse and a line of different sized rectangles appears upon the ground. It looked as if everyone has a piece of chalk to hand. It was as if the power of a human action when directed was put towards a common goal. 

I was then asked to move round to the other side of the wall to see a different projection. This second film was entitled "Celebration (Cyprus Street)". It was inspired by traditional street parties in London's East End, developed over a period of six months with residents. It was commissioned by Film and Video Umbrella and supported by Arts Council England.

It was filmed by a single tracking shot, capturing the rich diversity of the East End following four centuries of immigration. The sound starts to get louder as conversation grows throughout the street, no one is noticing the camera action. At this point it made me realize that both films seemed to be in contrast with each other. The first film was about leading as there was a person showing people where to go; and this short clip was about following others and their actions. There was also no seats compared to before. I noticed that everyone suddenly stopped and the street start to turn around to have a picture taken. I was given a strong sense of insecurity with the fact with such a life sized amount of people were all looking at you as if you were about to do something big. I had to leave the room.

Soon after I was asked to fill in a short questionnaire and I was handed a leaflet. I soon found out that Both of Melanie's work had been showcased internationally, with solo presentations at Haus am Waldsee in Berlin, Manchester and various other places. I was fascinated and really enjoyed seeing her work. I was amazed my peoples reactions around me and I was intrigued to how she managed to direct so many people together.