a series of steps which rise up out of the water in front of you as you walk from one to the next, and then disappear back underneath behind you as you go, leaving you stranded with only one step visible in front of you, and one behind. The bridge ends in the middle of the water, where you find yourself totally isolated and cut off from the shore. You return the way you came. The mixed feelings of peace, isolation, relaxation and fear that the piece elicits are powerful. The project is on-going will ultimately lead to a permanent installation in a lake.
Cross shares his inspiration for this project:
The idea for Bridge first sprouted from a simple desire, I wanted to stand in the middle of a lake surrounded only by water. I didn't want a boat to get me there or a pier to link me safely to land and I didn't want to get wet. I wanted to walk across the water to the middle of a lake, so I saw that I would need a new kind of bridge and I decided to make one...I wanted to make the whole thing mechanical (no extra electrics or hydraulics) so that the person walking on it would power it, their footfall on each step raising the next.
But this installation was fraught with liability risks:
The first prototype of Bridge was a bit - well- dodgy, and from the off it was clear that there would probably be some accidents (in the end there were three)...Common sense would say that you should be able to warn people that they're taking this risk of their own free will and let them get on with it, but the law says otherwise. Disclaimers are not binding under UK law, and it was clear that I was personally liable for this risk. How much will Claims Direct get you for a broken wrist? And don't forget your month off work and the emotional trauma? Whatever it is, it's more than I had to spare and enough to end my career
...As a result arts organisations all over the country [England] suddenly became paranoid- and I started to really worry. All this resulted in frankly ridiculous levels of safety precautions, which were embarrassing and frustrating for me, and disappointing for the public. If you were part of that disappointed public I can only say I'm sorry - but that's the society we've somehow managed to make for ourselves. The future of HS law looks bleak to me, I can only say that in future versions of the bridge this problem should go away as the mechanism is improved, making the whole thing safer.
Michael, I think your installation is beautiful. It is really too bad the safety precautions are keeping you from creating a truly aesthetic work. I had a similar problem with acquiring a permit for a fire installation when I lived out in California. I wonder if you would have the ability to create a labyrinth with your stones, all the same ideas just a different pattern. The sacred walk of a labyrinth with a truly isolated end point for reflection...Great work!
Carl and I had a chance to try this out when we were in London in 2006. What I liked best was the context. Michael had set up the installation, I believe the prototype at that point, in this beautiful abandoned brick church at a remote end of a public park. As we progressed, Michael waded in the water with us to make sure we didn't fall. My favorite part was arriving in the middle and looking back - seeing the path I had taken to get there.
The Kinetic Interface blog on Great Dance starts with the premise that by focusing on the body and movement we can better understand, engage with, and contribute to many of the technological and scientific changes that are reshaping our daily lives.
To share stories and ideas, offer feedback, and ask questions, please email Doug Fox.
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Michael, I think your installation is beautiful. It is really too bad the safety precautions are keeping you from creating a truly aesthetic work. I had a similar problem with acquiring a permit for a fire installation when I lived out in California. I wonder if you would have the ability to create a labyrinth with your stones, all the same ideas just a different pattern. The sacred walk of a labyrinth with a truly isolated end point for reflection...Great work!
Carl and I had a chance to try this out when we were in London in 2006. What I liked best was the context. Michael had set up the installation, I believe the prototype at that point, in this beautiful abandoned brick church at a remote end of a public park. As we progressed, Michael waded in the water with us to make sure we didn't fall. My favorite part was arriving in the middle and looking back - seeing the path I had taken to get there.
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