The second of the participatory series required a small group of people to throw paint bombs at projections of abstract drawings layered on top of governmental buildings. By recording this I was hoping to reflect upon media bias and the on-going disinterest for the people the majority of working class people media claim to represent.
With this in mind, I wanted to portray how the media views any actions against the governing body. This was inspired by the documentary ‘Chavez: Inside the Coup’ a documentary filming Hugo Chavez, former Venezuelan President, during his kidnapping in an attempt to overthrow a government that sought to give those in poverty better lives. A particular scene demonstrates the nature of media bias perfectly as it exposes the capitalist regime that opposed to Chavez’ ways. The footage depicts of a small group of people shooting over a bridge, however, what appears to be violent and lawless, was an act of defence as police launched an attack on pro-Chavez supporters who were protesting in demand of the return of Chavez.
What media portrays is only part of a whole, all efforts should be made to see the larger picture. This is what I wanted to achieve when documenting this action, a group of people appearing to be rioting without reason, when in reality it is something unharmful and an expression of this anger.
However, the footage I gained from this is about 1 minute of something that just appears to be quite fun and out of context to its original purpose. I feel a necessity to let this grow as it should, but as a lone piece it is not enough.
The violence and anger of the action needs to be opposed, as I do not want to condone violent action,the body of my work does not portray this. With the Faslane blockade approaching I feel that this is the greatest opportunity to document direct non-violent action in its rawest state, it counteracts the staged falsity of the event and emphasises the reality that is missed through governmental censorship in the media.
Alongside what I think is pretty awful footage, the piece of paper that was attached with paint balloons is a pretty amazing thing in itself.
Should I have the opportunity to exhibit this piece again, I would hope to have the footage alongside this paper, it reminds me of Gustav Metzger’s ‘Liquid Crystal Environment’.
