My journey....

Here are my notes of the journey I took through the streets of Canterbury last Friday (21/05/10) as part of our trial run of everyONE is looking for someONE. One of the ‘rules of the game’ is that we are not allowed to carry maps to navigate the urban landscape. Instead, like purposeful flâneurs, we rely on chance, instinct and directions given by people whom we meet along the way. Therefore, these notes will be vital when it comes to trace our respective routes during the evening ‘performance’. Unlike Rick I did not write down the times, which is something I will certainly do in Brighton in order to make the ‘narrative’ easier to follow.

So without further ado, here are my notes. The journey lasted between 12:15pm and 16:15pm. By all means feel free to take a pen and trace it onto a map of Canterbury…

St. Margaret’s Street left into High Street; left into Memorial Garden; left into High Street; straight into St. Peter’s Street; left into St. Peter’s Place; left into Tower Way; left into Black Griffin Lane; right into St. Peter’s Street; straight into High Street; right into Stour Street; back on myself and right into Beer Cart Lane; straight into Watling Street; right into Dane John Gardens; across the park; right into Castle Row; through the green; right into Castle Street; straight into St. Margaret’s Street; right into Marlowe Arcade; left into Rose Lane; right into the Parade; straight into St. George’s Street; left into Canterbury Lane; left into Burgate; left into Mercery Lane; right onto High Street; left into Stour Street; right into Greyfriars’ Garden; around the gardens; left into Stour Street; right into High Street; left into Guildhall Street; right into Sun Street; straight into Burgate; right into Iron Bar Lane; right onto the Parade; straight into High Street; right into Best Lane; right into Orange Street; right into Guildhall Street; left into High Street; straight into the Parade; straight into St. George’s Street; right into Whitefriars, right into Gravel Walk; through Rose Square; straight into Marlowe Arcade; right into St. Margaret’s Street; left into Memorial Garden; right into the Parade; right into Rose Lane; straight into Marlowe Avenue; straight into Dane John Gardens; through the park; straight into St. George’s Lane; left into St. George’s Street; straight into the Parade; right into Mercery Lane. THE END

All in all I left six messages. On the envelopes I wrote: “FOR YOU”. Inside, I placed postcards that said: “I was here at (insert time). I waited. You didn’t come. I looked for you, but couldn’t find you.” Then, with a little bit of string, I carefully tied the envelopes onto benches, railings, or posts.

I did meet Rick twice: once at the beginning of the day, and once at the very end of our journeys.

And, after a few failed attempts, I managed to take pictures of eight people. A big, big thank you goes out to all of them.

Pablo

Intertextuality, perhaps?

I have been thinking about our latest work, or rather, IT has been haunting me. The image of these two solitary figures, sticking out like sore thumbs in the urban environment… Black bowler hat. Black briefcase. Black suit. Black shoes…

everyONE is looking for someONE

Isn’t this very Samuel Beckett? The pointlessness of it! A desolate sense of hope to find one another. And of course the bowler hats. Yes, very Vladimir and Estragon.

Isn’t this very Gilbert and George? The fun of it! A tongue in cheek intervention into unsuspecting people’s everyday life. And of course the matching suits. Yes, very living sculpture.

Isn’t this very Rene Magritte? The absurdity of it! A surreal sense of wonderment. And of course, again, the bowler harts. Yes, very Gloconda.

It seems that with this new piece we are referencing, subconsciously to a degree, a vast body of historic works. Intertextuality ear your heart out! The question is how this might become manifest in the evening ‘performance’. The piece is beautifully simple on the surface (two men trying to find each other), but infinitely complex underneath. What a fantastic starting point…

Pablo

everyONE is looking for someONE

It's been a while, but don't think Accidental Collective's brain hasn't been ticking away...

As part of Basement Arts, Brighton, Accidental Collective are producing something new.

Whilst ostensibly an evening performance the contents of that performance will be shaped by One and Another's trials and tribulations as they sought each other out earlier that day, in Brighton City centre.

Taking meticulous records of times, places, people they met, One and Another will create an ephemeral web of movements, acts and interventions around Brighton City centre.

The revelation of how successful (or not) this was will be told as the whole thing unravels in front of a live audience in the evening performance.

Though....

Accidental Collective thought it might be best to have a think about this and maybe try it out.

As such we took to the streets of our hometown of Canterbury last Friday (21/5/10) to get a sense of what worked, what didn't, how far could you ask people to go..? how far could we go?

Dressed as extras from The Thomas Crown Affair, One and Another parted ways on St Margret's Street. Briefcases, black shoes, bowler hats...

"Hi, I'm looking for this guy... (shows picture). Have you seen him?

(Giggling) "ermm... no. sorry"

"Are you just heading into town now?"

"We are... we're going shopping"

"So you'll be in town for a while?.. i only ask cos if you see him, it'd be great if you could let him know you saw me... could you do that?"

(more giggling)"... I guess..."

"Brilliant... now if you'd (produces camera) like to say cheese.."

TAKES PICTURE

"and sign this form.... just to say you know we wont do anything outrageous with the picture...

SHE SIGNS

"Okay guys, that's great... please do let him know you've seen me... "

Okay, as an engagement this needs work.

How do we get them involved?

Is this a giant game of hide and seek where the seekers don't know One or Another, each other... and the hiders are always in plain sight...

How else can they have fun with this?

How else can they help shape the evenings relation of events to a live audience..? One Another, together for the first time...

maps, urban space and looking for someone...

Accidental Collective have been thinking....

Who are you looking for?

With that thought in mind, Accidental Collective are taking to the streets of Brighton.

One will be looking for Another. Leaving messages, marks, in an attempt to