SIBLINGS: PRESENTATION IDEAS

I am definite that there will be three screens used as part of the installation but as of yet unsure on their form so here are my ideas and pro's and cons of each. I want the talking heads on the three screens to interact and cast looks to one another or even speak over each other. The whole project as well as dealing with the theme of siblings, labels and unconformity is also being playful with the idea of the "traditional" documentary "talking head" stylistic. I want to take this and turn it on its head (pardon the pun) a little so the talking head looks conventional but all will not be as it seems...

Sculptural Figures with Screen "Heads"?
I like this idea as it will mean the 3 sculptures and the video elements will take on a human type form. My boys are obsessed with their tablets so taking these and using them to represent their talking heads on a modified child mannequin could be particularly relevant. I love the sculptural nature of the installations of Nam June Paik and the way he integrates the screens into interesting and clever form. As far as clothing or unclothing the figures I do like the fact that it would give them personality especially if I dressed the boys in their own clothes and also a certain presence in the space. However I do like the androgynous look of the mannequins and the way it dehumanises the heads that may work well with some of the other voices they will be representing. I also like the fact that they will not have to be screened in a darkened gallery only. If iPads or something similar were used as the screens the installation could be put pretty much anywhere. I think it could be interesting and fun to screen the installation in corridors of other public places to surprise and to find different audiences. However the stylising of the boys form as figures could possibly lack the impact of using large screens and just talking heads.

Large screens and projection
I like the power and impact that this presentation style may bring and the impact of 3 large screens for small child faces that are often overlooked and not taken seriously. The scale can make the message and aesthetic of the installation more powerful. I envisage there being nothing in the dark space except the three large screens so they will capture the viewers full attention and this is where my current thinking lies. I want the impact of the three talking heads (and possibly other images) on a large scale to dominate the space so the onlookers cannot escape the force of whatever they are saying. This feels less gimmicky and more honest and a stronger representation of the subverting of documentary style as it keeps more of the documentary talking head aesthetic but is playful with it's form whilst retaining some of the familiarity of it.

Positioning of the installation
This will have to relate to how the installation is shot but as mentioned earlier I do want the three screens/models with screens to interact, casting looks to each other and interacting to what the others are saying. The three screens in a row could work, formed as three sides to a set with the viewer being "the fourth wall" or even slightly off set and this will need some experimentation to get the best balance of screens and viewer experience.