http://knowscode.ca/speaker_consequences.html
Kelley et al. (1983) proposed a 3D model for closeness: interactions should be
frequent, include diverse activities, and include a level of influence. Since the COVID
lockdown commenced, questions arose around how we maintain meaningful
connections, whether they be between friends, family, or coworkers, during a time
of isolation and unpredictability. As friends and artists, the limitations of virtual
encounters brought us opportunities that became a source of inspiration for this
growing and ongoing project.
"The encounter" as a subject matter became relevant. In a call to relational art, we
want to share our intimate virtual space with the public. However, unlike relational
art, this project began solely for the participating artists, as a way to maintain and
develop our friendship when in-person contact is rare, if not unavailable.
The project consists of two parts: our weekly audio messages that focus on simple,
somewhat banal routines that become highlights of our days in lockdown, and the
videos or animations sent back as interpretative responses to these previous audio
messages. Once the audio is sent, its ownership is now shared between the two
artists, as our visual responses derive from the received recordings, as well as the
receiver’s personal experiences read into the recordings. Born as an attempt to
maintain that balance between structure and free-flowing creativity, the production
structure of recording, listening, interpreting, and responding turns into its own
routine.
This piece is meant to be shown as a web page in which the viewer can navigate
freely from one moment to the other, as a voyeuristic exercise, consuming the
encounters we are leaving behind.
Reference: Kelley, Harold H. Close Relationships. W.H. Freeman, 1983.
