Missing People : 2002
Site-specific video projection designed to be projected high up onto the side of a building, the subject being Shanghai window cleaners.
They glide freely across the grid-like structure of the building creating a visual ambiguity between the figure and its reflection enhanced by the stark black and white quality of the film.
Missing People emphasises the performing quality of these spidery figures creating a dance film found in everyday life.
The window cleaners are typically rural workers who travel to Shanghai for part of the year – only returning to their families for a brief period in the summer. The title ‘Missing People’, the silhouette-like figures and the grid structure of the building, are all techniques intended to point towards this dislocation being a result of the rapid urbanisation and fast growing business districts of China’s big centres.
Projected at numerous locations including Colston Hall, Bristol; FACT, Liverpool and on the side of an enormous mine at Norberg Festival, Sweden. Commissioned by Statement Media Arts, 2002.
Missing People was screened at Birds Eye View film Festival “Sound and Silents” programme with live accompaniment from pianist Joanna MacGregor and DJ Rita Ray, first being shown at BFI, and consequently touring to the Big Chill Festival and BFI’s Optronica Festival in 2005 and 2007.
Photos of Missing People in context…
As part of Wednesday Windows at The Parlour Showroom, Park street, Bristol.
On the side of FACT, Liverpool
On the roof of the National Theatre, London.
In a solo show at the VM Art Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan
On the windows of Colston Hall, Bristol’s new foyer at the Opening Launch.
At the Jam Factory, Oxford as part of Majam Oxford Brookes, MA group show
In the city of Bath at a Silent Movie screening by Statement Media Arts
On the side of a huge Mine at Norberg Festival, Sweden