Cinema of Death, an interactive film and performance piece, featuring a mini-cinema, 4'30" 16mm film and projector, sound system, tungsten and fluorescent lighting, a switching system, props and makeup.

It was part of 360°, the first show by an exhibition of work by the Lost Property artists’ group (click here to visit their site), at the Camden Roundhouse Undercroft, 2001

Cinema of Death

A frame from the 16mm film made for Cinema of Death A frame from the 16mm film made for Cinema of Death

The audience was shown into a small, dimly lit cinema by this enigmatic usher (or was that Usher?). A low sound of wind sighing could be heard

 Lights dimmed, a 16mm projector rattled, and the film started. A deep, echoing humming could be heard through the wind

 The shots lingered obsessively on earth...
A frame from the 16mm film made for Cinema of Death A frame from the 16mm film made for Cinema of Death Cinema of Death
...a man’s still body on the sand...

 ...the sea... ...until without warning the projector and sound stopped, many striplights flickered on, and the unmasked usher silently presented the audience with their choice
Cinema of Death Cinema of Death   A frame from the 16mm film made for Cinema of Death

Some audience members, braver than the rest, reached for the switch...

 ...if they were determined enough they were allowed to flip it... ...and so turn out the lights and start up the projector and sound again, allowing the film to carry on till its end