AMEN BROTHER: VERSION 2

Following on from the feedback from the first critique I dissected, considered and ruminated on this to take forward into a newer version that hopefully would move towards resolving some of the issues that the audience had with the piece.

A lot of the concerns were concerns I had myself highlighted. The major over-riding concern was the fact that no-one came even close to making the connection so this MUST be stronger and the visuals could be used to highlight this more. Lots more trialling, action research and testing to develop the piece. Also to consider the use of the three screens interacting more and being more active (especially the middle one) and possibly conflicting with each other for attention. Also the theme of the Amen Break linking all of what is happening and making the ideology of the piece clearer.

I wanted to play around with the elements I had as felt that from my feedback from the big crit a lot of them were working. What I wanted to do was to try and make the piece more cohesive and make sure I really sold it and communicated the message and themes I wanted to.

Here is version Amen Brother Version 2



In my opinion I feel that the message is much clearer on this second version. I decided to keep some of the elements similar or the same  The shortening of the clips of uses of the Amen Break by other artists have been shortened so the drum break has more of a flowing nature linking them all together. The inclusion of the developed animated musical score to me also links all the elements together as you can follow the drum beat in all of the tracks clearly illustrating their common drum beats. I have also included an image of the drummer himself G.C. Coleman to bring him more front and centre.

I decided to keep the three screens for this version to see if I could get them working well together but must be careful not to have them just for the point of it and filling them to make sure they are used if the piece does not dictate it. I like the busy nature of the piece as in a lot of installations I have seen I am generally unimpressed with what I perceive to be the lack of interest going on in them. I appreciate that less can be more in some instances but from having worked principally on one screen for my TV work I love the liberation of multiple screens. I do also feel that the screening of it as it is above and not on three big screens as intended compromises the piece and due to the small images deadens its impact.

I also like the idea of a busy piece and plenty happening and drawing on lots of themes. Religion, appropriation, copyright, sampling, post-modernism, representation and idolatry of pop icons, words  (song titles) building narrative, unsung heros, accidental movements, sound as memory, audience consumption and also the idea of revelation of discovery at the theme of the piece. As I write this I am concerned that this is too much but I guess people may be able to pick what they like out of it. There is a concern that this may confuse or overload the audience but I want to trial it again and see if the message is clearer if the audience will not be engulfed in too much visually and aurally.