Chance Operators

A symphony for as many

phones that ring.

Description of process:

Before the audience enters space, instructions will appear on-screen:

As a condition for entering the cinema space, audience members must be carrying a mobile phone and submit their mobile number to the usher.

Their number will be typed into a laptop which will be simultaneously projected onto the screen.

Audience members take their seat as normal.

Audience members will be asked to select numbers to ring.

As audience numbers increase and numbers are dialled so should the volume of sound.

*Please switch on all Mobile Phones and Ensure they are NOT in silent mode.*

Instructions:

1. Please select a number from the screen to dial. (As more audience arrive, corresponding telephone numbers will appear on the screen.)

2. Please do not answer your phone. Decide how many rings before hanging up. Alternatively permit your answer machine to kick in; the dialler can decide whether or not to record a portion of the performance (max 15 seconds).

3. If you get an engaged tone please try again or dial another number.

*Repeat steps 1 to 3*

(Continue for the duration of the performance at which point numbers are removed from the screen.)

4. Please stop dialling.

5. Please switch off all mobile phones.

*Silence*

(‘Normal' programme resumes.)

…………………………………………………………………………….

Technical requirements

1. Digital projector and screen

2. Laptop + someone to (carefully) type in mobile telephone numbers

3. Wireless microphone system

4. Directional microphone 2x

5. Ambient microphones 4x?

6. 2x video cameras

Concept: 

Choreographed audience transgression of 'no mobile phones' rule in cinema auditorium (inspired by John Cage’s symphony for 12 radios, 1951.)

Summary:

The work is devised for a typical cinema screening space. An improvisational audio piece structured by the audience following a simple score or instructions.  Duration: approximately ten minutes. An audio and video recording will be made of this orchestra of mobile phone ring tones played in the auditorium. Also personal recordings can be made by a participant as an answer machine message.