fromCONCENTRATE

research blog of artist John O'Shea

Jun 30, 2010 0

Comfort Zone

My recent performance work – PENUMBRA – involves the use of traditional theatrical lighting to project a special ‘zone’ onto the stage – the lighted area is described as a “NO ZONE.”  Outside of the “NO ZONE” something is permitted.  And inside the “NO ZONE” that same something is prohibited.

The work attempts to mix-up roles which are usually kept separate – that of ‘on-stage’ actor/performer and ‘behind-the-scenes’ director/technician.


Since I am both performer and lighting-operator I can direct the powerful beam wherever I want (even into the faces of the audience) and, within the construct of the performance, the “NO ZONE” is imposed wherever the light falls.

A member of the Liverpool audience suggested that the space described is in fact a “NO COMFORT ZONE” and this seems very fitting!

(images – stills from video documentation by Sam Meech)

Jun 29, 2010 0

Information Free Zone

Designed as part of my response to Newcastle City Council’s ‘Interpretive Signage’ brief, which aimed at taking heritage information into the digital realm, the ‘Information Free Zone’ raises the questions “How much information do we need?” & “Where exactly can we go to get away from it?”

An ‘Information Free Zone’ would restrict “the use of the electromagnetic spectrum for wireless telegraphy (to include WIFI, SMS, Bluetooth etc)” and I proposed that the zone be applied to an already peaceful space next to the City’s Cathedral – Amen Corner – and went ahead and notified the public of this ominous change:

If the ‘Information Free Zone’ were to be applied in the UK public sphere, an important question would need to be addressed:

  • Does the zone impose an ‘information embargo’ through the use of electromagnetic signal jamming technology?
  • Or is the zone subscribed to by citizens (in a similar way to the quiet coach on a train.)

(A technologically imposed ‘Infromation Free Zone’ would likely be in contravention of the 2006 Wireless Telegraphy Act.)

Early responses from the public were mixed – here are some examples:

  • I was shocked to see it!
  • It is needed in buses and in parks
  • It would be a pain
  • I can’t see how it’s possible
  • Is it not a breach of human rights?
  • Everywhere should have one!
  • We’ll need a few…
  • I go fishing to switch off!

Jun 28, 2010 0

Zones

zone [zəʊn]n

1. a region, area, or section characterized by some distinctive feature or quality
2. a sphere of thought, disagreement, argument, etc.

3. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) an area subject to a particular political, military, or government function, use, or jurisdiction eg. a demilitarized zone

‘Section 60 – Zone of Special Police Powers!’

Under Section 60 (5) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994) a Police Officer in uniform can: “stop any person or vehicle and make any search he thinks fit whether or not he has any grounds (for suspicion)” within a given locality…

Regarding the given locality – I have been unable to clarify what this means… presumably ANY vector of space might be described?

What I do know, is that officers of the law, above the position of superintendent, are able to invoke special “invisible” zones ANYWHERE and, within such zones, the normal rights and privileges of UK Citizens do not apply:

  • I know this because, during 2009 I was subject to a “Section 60″ stop.  What became apparent from the interrogation and my research afterwards (including a failed Freedom of Information request) is that it is extremely difficult for citizens to know precisely where and when “Section 60″ powers are in force – since no notification is given – and this creates a panopticon scenario where everyone in the UK must assume that such powers are always in place.

In case you are wondering what “any search he thinks fit” means, it refers to the legal euphemism “intimate search” – which is basically an implied threat of sexual violence – “a search which consists of the physical examination of a person’s body orifices other than the mouth;”.  (Thankfully I was spared this – an account of my stop and search experience is linked at an earlier post.)

For the purpose of illustration, included below is the information provided by police explaining that “officers may stop and speak to you in the course of their duties…”  See how the explanation goes to great lengths to make it clear that you CANNOT be searched without reasonable suspicion only for the elusive “Section 60″ authorisations to undermine the established and understood relationship (between citizen and state).

This stark experience of behind-the-scenes actors ascribing seemingly unlikely ‘virtual zones’ onto public space and operating subversively in the civic, political and legal realm, stuck with me.  During the past year I have made my own attempts at invoking legally designated zones and some of these are described in the next two blogposts.

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