Busby Berkeley's Village (1998)

Video installation for 1 projector
5.00 min. (loop)
PAL – color – silent
Specifications: The projected image should touch the floor.

Realisation: Koen Theys
Technical advice: Frank Theys
Production: VOTNIK

Busby Berkeley became famous as a director of Hollywood musicals in the 1920's and '30's. He was often seen as the opposite of Fred Astaire because for him the individuality of his dancers was unimportant. Instead, he drew inspiration from the ballets that took place at the court of Louis XIV, where the public was watching from above and the patterns formed by the dancers were considered more important than the ability of any of them in particular. By using morphing effects Koen Theys created a strange choreography of objects from the urban furniture. Whereas their first role is to embellish our cities and supply comfort and security, these lanterns, trees, bins and control cameras become movable forms, like foreign organic substances susceptible to infect the urban environment. The global village through the eyes of Busby Berkeley.



… The unexpected passages and associations have sometimes a surprising comic impact, although the emphasis does certainly not lie on slapstick. It is a visual very strong presentation, with which Theys confirms its good name …”
Edith Doove – DE STANDAARD

Entire article (NL)