What if Google Maps went live…
public space as performative space
In ‘What if Google Maps went live…’ the still motionless image of an empty building site is brought to life by video inserts depicting the spontaneous and creative take-over by inhabitants of Eindhoven. A plea for the creative appropriation of the public space that links up our lives. Watch the video on flux-s.nl
Director Roel Wouters makes the still images of a large collage photo of a public space in the making come alive by inserting video fragments. Small groups of people are dancing, playing and making music in the recently dumped sand, alongside the young plantings and across the new pavement. The photos and video were made from above. They call up the idea that it should be possible to experience Google Maps in real time: that you could see what is actually happening in the street directly on your computer screen. What if Google Maps went live… was recorded on the former Philips industrial site Strijp-S in Eindhoven, during the two-day event flux/S 3 Square One. For this occasion, designer/artist Roel Wouters, choreographer Katja Heitmann and composer Merlijn Twaalfhoven had developed a number of concise art projects, which were executed by the participating audience.
Strijp-S is developing into the cultural hot spot of Eindhoven – at this moment the area is filling up quickly with new houses, with the industrial heritage being transformed into loft dwellings. Art festival flux/S is making proposals for the use of the public space in this new area. How could this public space be turned into something vital? How could people actively contribute to the creation of public space? flux/S 3 SQUARE ONE and What if Google Maps went live... together form an invitation to reclaim public space for use by the public; to redefine it as a performative space: a space where people can meet, share experiences and do their thing..
Watch the video online on flux-s.nl
Commissioned and produced by: flux/S international arts festival – flux-s.nl
What if Google Maps went live... was recorded on the former Philips industrial site Strijp S in Eindhoven during flux/S SQUARE ONE, the Prelude September 3-4, 2011
Concept: Moniker commisioned by flux/S
Producer: Jan Schuijren - flux/S
Director: Roel Wouters - Moniker
Executive Producer: Vargo Bawits
On-Site Production: Marleen Hartjes
Communication: Maaike Delemarre
Pre-production: Chantal Kleinmeulman
Production Assistance by Eva Bullens, Eva van der Moer, Walter van Beek, Jeanine des Bouvrie, Henk van den Brink, Piet van Benthem
Photographer: Marc Faasse
Director of Photography: Sal Kroonenberg
Floor Manager: Eddy Stub
Camera Operators: Nicholas Burrough, Jeroen Simons, Edo Kuipers, Thijn Teeuwissen, Edwin Donders
Data Handler: Johan Bosgraaf
Choreography: Katja Heitmann
Composer: Merlijn Twaalfhoven
Sound Recording: Friso Pas, Willem de Wijs, Peter van Suyderhoud
Audio Post-Production: Peter van Suyderhoud
Metronome sound: Rik Elstgeest
Post-Production: Shosho
Soundtrack Title Sequence: Guru by Light Light
Special Appearances by
Björn Ottenheim & Daan Schinkel – zZz
Luna Maurer / Moniker – Sand PenKarin de Wit – Hula Hoop instructor
Roger Martinez – soundscape
Bas van Duren – speaker
and the musicians of Koninklijke Harmonie Phileutonia, Eindhovens Seniorenorkest, Stratums Muziekkorps St. Cecilia, Sambaband Batedeira, Escola de Samba os Malandros and Muziekvereniging Eindhoven West