A film lecturer at the University for the Creative Arts in Epsom is heading to Bangalore to film an earsplitting series of shouting matches for an unusually loud conceptual art film project.
George Barber will film pairs of screaming volunteers sitting opposite each other. At the given signal the pairs will begin shouting and have to lend the full power of their lungs to a short energy-filled noise contest.
Sitting facing opposite each other on chairs, each connected to a section of train track, each contestant will have one of George’s helpers controlling the position of their seat. The harder each of the pair shouts the more they will move into the frame, the quieter they are, the more they are pulled back.
The shouting match continues until one of the competitors admits defeat and runs out of shouting power.
George said: “‘Shouting Match’ is an attempt to experiment with raw communication. It is made up of the actual vocal combat and insight into characters, how they behave, their faces in pain, anger, struggle, insanity, defeat and victory.
”There are no words, just emotions. Metaphorically, ‘Shouting Match’ responds to the common situation in modern life, whereby everything has to be turned ‘full up’. Nothing is quiet and everything is exaggerated. It is an apt metaphor for our culture today. Everybody everywhere is waving their arms and eyebrows about needlessly. If you fall silent, you will be out the frame and out of history.”
George shows films of the shouting matches to audiences. He added: “The sheer sound of the piece is impressive especially on multi-screens in galleries and consists of men and women using their voice in a totally irrational, pre-cultural fashion; the howl of madness.
“It’s always interesting hearing people from different languages and ethnic backgrounds shouting. Men are usually louder than women, and the loudest person I filmed was an Irishman in London.”
The volunteers for Shouting Match may go away with no voice, but they don’t leave empty handed. George pays his volunteers for taking part.
To see some of George Barber’s shouting matches, visit www.georgebarber.net.
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