| How does one define a "second"
in time? Video, defines a second in thirty frames. A "second" can also be
defined as the number that comes after "first:" the set-up for a linear
narrative. Experientially, the
"second" is about perceptually lost time defined through the act of looking and
moving, such as "the second I turned my back" or "I blinked for a second
and ‘it’ happened." "Second" also constitutes a follow-up action;
a second chance or an "after."
Ducks (one second glance), 1998-2000
uses a cast of thirty approximately 2" x 1 ½" nearly identical yellow
plasticine ducks to play with different representations of a "second." In the
sculptural version, all thirty ducks are lined up horizontally on a wall.
Each duck has a slightly different facial
expression relating to what it proceeds and follows. The experience of walking past the
ducks animates them; the duck turns its head; sticks out its tongue and returns to its
original position. The animated version of
Ducks (one second glance) is a one
second, (thirty frames) video loop of each yellow plasticine duck with recorded room
sound. Here technology pro-vides the motion. What prevails is the image and sound of one,
yellow, plasticine duck in the motion of a seemingly long, anarchic,
"one-second" glance. |
