Continuing with an exploration of landscape film and issues of observation and representation, GREETINGS FROM COLLIOURE contributes to an ongoing philosophical enquiry into time-space and an interest in the physics and metaphysics of light. Particularly the way in which, through time, changes in light and season affect the way in which we perceive film space.
Through a long continuous take of a familiar ‘Picture Postcard’ view of the sea frontage and harbour at Collioure with its coloured boats, GREETINGS FROM COLLIOUREpresents the spectator with a ‘real time’ phenomenological experience of change and transience. It is a 13’41 ‘slice of life’ providing a ‘sense of place’ from 12.20 on 11 June 2011. During the take subtle shifts of light are recorded which changes the way in which colours are perceived in the video. This part of South West France renowned for its special luminous quality of light brought Matisse, Derain, Picasso and Dufy to paint here followed by many others, however this time it is the quality of light and a celebration of colour recorded by digital video which is the concern.
The hand held camera and the way in which it registers movement in relation to the movement of the boats, and the acknowledgment of the spectator/viewers position within the cinematic experience, are both important aspects of this work. The possibility of chance is built into the video for both image and sound, especially ‘out of frame’ sound, allowing for unpredictable phenomena to occur throughout the duration of recording. The spectators’ perception and phenomenological viewing experience is an intrinsic aspect of this work, both in the observation of what is occurring on screen and in self observation.
