Following on from the Light experiments (I, II & III), and Tent Pod 1 (Michael Jackson Tent), I have been experimenting with a kind of shrine to retro computer gaming systems in general. In this case, I have chosen to tailor it specifically, at least in part, to Clive Sinclair, who was responsible for the well-known ZX Spectrum computer of the 80s.
I have not based this shrine on any other shrine in particular, but rather, it is my own creation; however it is slightly inspired by the Beatles shrine I created for my 1998 video ‘Vinyl Meets Acid’. (I have adapted the Vigatrope (Video Game Zoetrope) to additionally feature motorised spinning cutout heads of Clive Sinclair, although this does not feature in this shrine as it is currently a parallel element of my project.)
Chanting or mantras to Sinclair was something I considered (perhaps using the phrase ‘Spectr-OM’ – similar to the name, Spectrum), however upon reflection I felt it apparent that the game-playing itself is the equivalent to the mantra of the game-player. I did not want the traits of the gameplayer to become too apparent, in case they distract from the worshipping. The human form is shrouded; the only apparent features should be a slight outline of the face, and the fingers curled over the keyboard, whilst the back is hunched to bring the face nearer to the screen.
The human form, therefore, exists to serve the machine/shrine by playing the game, and serves no other purpose than to activate and engage with the technology which is being presented to it. Like ET (Spielberg, 1982), it may possess spindle-like fingers for button-pressing, and a head disjointed from the body for viewing VDUs, I would like the human form to ultimately become more alien in its very form, however this may be for another stage of the project.
The candles and incense could be considered a rather kitsch addition to the shrine, which I accept; in fact, the worshiping of retro does itself lend itself quite well to this, I feel. The hardware being worshipped is in fact being fetishised. I also candles necessary as a way of providing in-shrine lighting, without bringing in additional lights, and they provide a satisfying flickery aesthetic and warm glow.
The shrine is also a tribute to those popular computer game TV shows of my teenage years, including Bad Influence, Gamesmaster, Knightmare and The Adam And Joe Show.
Sinclair Shrine 1 documentation on 4th April 2010. The idea is to make a shrine to 8-bit computer systems in general, and more specifically, Clive Sinclair and his ZX Spectrum computer This was made in my garden shed. I am interested in the human-computer interaction of the shrine worshipper, as they play PowerDrift to its blippy tune. The workshipper/gamplayer hunches over the computer, fingers curled onto the keys, as they are transfixed by the video image.
Idea and realisation was by Aaron Kay. Shrine Workshippers are Justina Moriarty and Aaron Kay.
Tags: 8-bit, Aaron Kay, adam and joe, bad influence, candles, ET, gamesmaster, gaming, humanoid form, kitsch, performance, power drift, retro, shrine, Sinclair, Spectrum, workshipping, Zx
