PARIP 2005

International Conference | 29 June - 03 July 2005

Furnham: David | UK

Les Cyclistes / A Practice of Continual Theorising

A creative and intellectual investigation of the film (documentary) medium starting from the history and practice of the documentary genre and early absurd films but now defined as a site specific event allows a complete flow of new ideas to interact with the concrete processes of realisation.

In my film world, theory and practice are bound by a developing understanding of the absurd and the hyperreal. Theoretical ideas are informed by creative performance and presentational decisions taken inthe making process, and visa versa, leading to the emergence of novel creative outcomes and a theoretical model.

The mixed media installation is a hyperreal world of the complete cycling enthusiast - an absurd world where archive and contemporary footage, memories and live performance mix and collide around which, visitors can navigate their own route. The film is in the silent film genre with piano accompaniment and live 'bonimenteur' / sound effects.The event centred on the marquee and Citroen historic van is an entertaining and humorous portrayal of the passions of cycling in France and the UK. Les Cyclistes creates a virtual world, which is entertaining, knowledgeable and fun - a popular experience for all. In addition, the event records cyclists' stories onto video as its own archive.

Practice and theoretical considerations become an integral part of theresearch process and the presentational process.

Evaluation becomes an evaluation of the subject, the theme, the processand reception. Illuminative methodology using observation and interviewing techniques and analysis of written materials is used to seek out both congruities and incongruities of what has been assumed and can reveal new insights essential to the theoretical articulation.

This culturally comparative project reveals institutional strengths and weaknesses.  The project will hopefully 'delight, fascinate, question' and give pleasure and engagement. It stimulates support for local government policies for healthy activity and cultural harmony and exchange. Within the academy, it offers collaborations, and, it can act as case study and offer new insights into the film medium across a number of disciplines, disseminated through the written article and conference presentation. But it also raises questions about the standing of research by practice projects within the academic institution. There is ambivalence to the project's collaborative definition and in acknowledging the amount of work involved. My previous projects led to the development of a new undergraduate programme - a major commitment on the part of the University. Yet there is no public mechanism, which accounts for the fact that the new curricula developed out of the research by practice arena.

The Tour for Les Cyclistes is currently being devised. It will be launched in Brighton and at York Cycle Rally in June 2006 - then the open road awaits!

DF/03.05PARIP