Where the Lines End

Dan Shipsides (Artist), Beggs Neal (Artist)

Research output: Non-textual formDigital or Visual Products

Abstract

Shipsides and Beggs (SBP) research, within the context of experimental moving-image, feature-length (58min) narrative work, explores creative spatial authoring through fieldwork, geo-data and absurdist storytelling. It employs a multi-layered integration of documentary live-action with creative text and visuals effect to expand a pata-perceptual (Shipsides, 2016) and at times absurdist approach to land and borders, especially grounded upon the ROI/UK border in the context of Brexit, and with wider extrapolation to the US/Mexico border and all within the unfolding context of Covid-19. Taking a road-trip format, the research re-treads the border by foot, van and canoe seeking the ‘geographer’. In tandem, the narrative follows elevation data (which frameworks The Crossings, 2020) and interweaves contextual material/data from historical, mythological and topographic sources utilising hand-made visual effects, backgrounds and overlays, many deriving from graphic work conflating the border states of USA/Mexico and of ROI/UK. The research draws from a data-based topographical account (a visualisation and audiation of the terrain) along with experiential encounters. Reinforcing the musical enquiry of The Crossings, linking the terrain to folk-music traditions of Ireland and the US, it also utilises a soundtrack of ‘old-time’ music and SBP’s own music and songs, including early renderings of The Crossings (as The Backstop C19) which are specifically utilised to perform storytelling segue sequences and ambient soundscapes. Rendering the absurdity of borders, the story, narrated by voice-actors, engages the happenstance and materiality (predominantly water) of the Irish borderlands; registers the impact of an unexpected dataset (Covid); and concludes with a pata-physically numerical quote by President Trump. The format seeks to expand moving-image genres (hybridising experimental narrative across cinematic and contemporary art) and forms of dissemination via episodic and online streaming formats. Commissioned within the Another Fine Mess exhibition project and hosted online by the American University Museum, and Solas Nua (Washington DC, 2020).
Original languageEnglish
PublisherAmerican University Museum at the Katzen Art Center
Editionn/a
Media of outputOnline
Size58min
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 13 Jul 2020

Keywords

  • Shipsides and Beggs Projects, Another Fine Mess,

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  • Another Fine Mess

    Shipsides, D. & Neal, B., 1 Jun 2020

    Research output: Non-textual formExhibition

  • Canoe / Curraghs

    Shipsides, D. & Neal, B., 1 Jun 2020

    Research output: Non-textual formDigital or Visual Products

  • Starmaps: Borderlands

    Shipsides, D. & Neal, B., 1 Jun 2020

    Research output: Non-textual formDigital or Visual Products

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