Flight

2002

3’9” loop

16mm film transferred to digital media

Commissioned by Modus Operandi for the BBC

 

As part of a series of commission to mark the refurbishment of BBC Broadcasting House, Flight was filmed from a remote control helicopter looping around the roof of building. At the same time the image itself is revolving, sending the eye spinning one way around the satellite dishes and aerials while the helicopter turns the camera in another way. In one sense feeling free, flying also feels perilous and disconcerting, swooping and only just avoiding the sensitive instruments on the roof.

These satellite dishes and radio masts are the conduit to so many peoples’s lives. If they were knocked out for even a second millions of listeners would be cut off, and yet the camera is missing them by millimetres. The air feels charged. Far from neutral or empty, radio waves fill the sky with silent and powerful voices.