Aaron Head has been selected for the Talking City Com:mission Action Research.

The Com:missions explore the impact that one artist can make in one place, in one day. The com:missions are designed to investigate the impact of short, sharp interventions within the public realm, and question how working quickly and responsively feels for the artist.

Here is the documentation of his Com:mission

What did you do?

I undertook an action that consisted of displaying a countdown of five in an inaudible and visual way. I did this in a variety of busy public spaces in Milton Keynes. This was filmed and has been edited to create the film ‘5… 4… 3… 2… 1…’

How did it feel to work within the public realm in a quick and responsive way?

I think it was quite organic in a creative sense. It allowed me to repeat myself as many times as possible. I think this allowed me to develop the aesthetic of the work as the day went on. I also feel that towards the end of the day I was creating a presence in the city. In that way the work began to exist through gossip and retrospect. The work then develops an identity independent of myself, which could aid in it’s understanding and adoption as an image or idea.

What responses did you encounter from the public?

Some apathy, Some smiles and laughter, a lot of avoidance. In a commercial centre like Milton Keynes where people are well used to the arts of advertising I think the slight absurdity of my action jarred with a lot of peoples expectations. So I think the most common response was a faltering step.

What did you enjoy about the Talking City Com:mission?

I enjoyed being a presence in the city, which I hope created a folk and anecdotal element to the work. I also enjoyed the structure of this commission, it felt creatively empowering, as I have been trusted to create the work in my own time and in my own way. Faith in the integrity of the artist doesn’t seem to be so common in many commissions. I didn’t feel that I had to make work that ticked certain political boxes. I think the attitude was ‘we like your idea, get out their and do it and let’s see what happens’.

What did you find difficult?

I found it difficult being the fool. But that difficulty is an indispensable part of the work.

What would you do differently next time?

I think I would try and get permission from the local authorities in advance so that I could do the action in increasingly challenging spaces like a supermarket or Milton Keynes Snow Dome. If I did the work again I would also use a number of cameras to show different angles on one action.

What impact, if any, could this experience have on your practice?

I think it’s perhaps good to have a singular and simple idea in your mind and then to go out and do it, to see what happens. This was quite an instinctive work and it was good to just follow my instincts for a while.

Aaron Head talking city commission Have a look at the proposal that Aaron sent in originally.

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TALKING CITY is Anna Francis’ Longhouse Guest Editor project, for March 2010.

Click here to go to the project page.