[ISEA2009] Artist Statement: ESC — Moment of Truth

Artist Statement

ESC is taking part in the ISEA2009 exhibition at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. ESC’s ‘Moment of Truth’ Exhibit will be a constructed space that manifests and embodies the act of storytelling.
We will physically represent the process of cognition through a compact corridor structure. The audience will be encouraged to use this space as an opportunity to bring a thought, connect with that thought and record the subsequent truth to camera. Participants will move progressively through the corridor recorded by a camera mounted at the opposite end of the channel. When the participant reaches the last stage they record a truth to camera in words or actions.
The ‘Moment of Truth’ exhibit creates a space and opportunity for expression without manipulation. It is the participants’ choice to engage, connect and act or not. The reality is that the opportunity has been created.

  • ESC, UK. 1999 saw the birth of the ‘Educational Shakespeare Company Ltd’ (ESC), when Tom Magill co-founded the charity along with his colleague Andrew Stocker. om Magill’s and ESC’s work was deeply influenced by Augusto Boal, the Brazilian Nobel Prize nominee, activist and founding father of ‘Theatre of the Oppressed’: “Empowering passive spectators to become active performers in the rehearsal for change in their own lives.” ESC developed a strong focus on cross-community work in storytelling and film. Thanks to Peace II funding, in 2003 they were able to move into film-making, capturing those processes on film as they explored conflict resolution through the performing arts. Critically, ESC worked creatively for many years within the prison system in NI using drama, storytelling and theatre techniques. [source: https://esc-film.com/about-esc-films/]