Tomes of Destiny 2014
'Tomes of Destiny' was commissioned for the group exhibition 'Decision Time' with art works, performances, talks and dialogues exploring decision-making in the context of the Scottish Referendum on independence.
The exhibition brought together works that explore, often playfully, individual processes, reflections and conclusions about the Scottish Referendum. Like other members of the public, the artists involved had researched, expressed their preferences, beliefs, feelings, affiliations, confusions and decisions.
The exhibition 'Decision Time' was held from 12 -18 September 2014 at the Visual Research Centre, Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) and took place in the week before the historic referendum on Scottish independence on 18th September 2014.
General Description
'Tomes of Destiny' is an installation that references the short soundbites and rhetoric of the opposing camps of the referendum debate, 'Better Together' and 'Yes Scotland'. Utilising random extracts from the Scottish government's White Paper on independence juxtaposed with contrasting statements and facts about the strengths of retaining a united kingdom, the work presents divergent points of view to the viewer.
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Sample soundbites from opposing positions:
'Yes Scotland' - "Decisions about Scotland will be taken by the people who care most about Scotland...An independent Parliament elected entirely by people in Scotland will replace the current Westminster system...Our taxes will not be used to pay for nuclear weapons and we can remove Trident from Scotland for good".
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'Better Together' - "We are stronger and safer together as part of the UK...Economies of scale means that the UK is able to maintain world-class armed forces and security services... Scotland benefits from every pound spent of the world's fourth largest defence budget...SNP's proposal to spend a total GBP 2.5 billion to cover defence is just 7% of the UK defence budget".
Installation Description
The installation components consist of two, wall mounted, red LED moving message displays (98mm x 1000mm x 35mm), embedded arduino microcomputers, interface hardware and housings and integrated power supplies.
The information is presented on two, LED moving message displays (see images) representing the 'YES' and 'NO' camps. By pressing either a 'YES' or 'NO' button, the viewer is presented with a random extract from the relevant body of information covering areas such as: the economy; jobs; the pound; the NHS; defence; welfare; energy; education etc.
Analysis of the content is not provided, rather the viewer has the opportunity to weigh up the streams of information and hopefully to critically assess the veracity of what is being presented, perhaps stimulating a decision one way or the other.
The displays revert to a days, hours and minutes countdown to the referendum date when there is no user interaction.
Technical Description
The installation and displays are controlled by two arduino mega microcomputers, one for each unit (see images) and were pre-programmed with a database of the texts and information from the 'Better Together' and 'Yes Scotland' campaign. Information was sent to the displays via a software serial link and utilised BockiMessageBoard libraries.The two units worked independently and would revert to a display showing a countdown in days, hours, minutes to the Scotish Referendum date if there was no user interaction.
Credits
The 'Tomes of Destiny' installation and 'Decision Time' exhibition was supported by the Visual Research Centre (VRC) at Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee.
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With special thanks to Ali Napier (Digital Support Specialist) for work on aspects of the software development, together with the generous help and support of the exhibition organisers Pernille Spence and Zoë Irvine.
Decision Time website: decisiontimescotland.blogspot.co.uk