Alan Smith operates as a participant/observer; playing with conventional understandings
of interpretive and perceived realities. He creates live events, performance to camera
and audio/video installations that use appropriated texts, composed sound and imagery
to subtly shift the security of normality.
In an on-going series, ‘Parameter’, Alan has been setting up conditions for a number
of people to share an experience in carefully selected locations. Participants have
to follow rules; no speaking, no using personal entertainment devices, no reading
no pens or paper, no cameras or recording devices. The rules are set to correspond
to an understanding of the venues attributes and functions. ‘Parameter 1’ took place
overnight in a disused mine, seven people, duration 14hrs and ‘Parameter 2’ took
place a pub, 14 people, 6hrs.
He gained his MFA at the University of Massachusetts and is Creative Director and
co-founder of Allenheads Contemporary Arts.