An exhibition by Nina Nadig and Eva George Richardson McCrea

Opening April 8th at 17.00
8 - 23 April 2022

Curated by Ali O'Shea

Table Games (2021) is a 7 hour 1 minute film, which is the result of a live edited performance that was live streamed on the 17th April 2021.

In Table Games six characters sit around a table playing poker. They are playing for real money which the winner receives at the end of the performance. Each player has been given a score of gestures, sentences and actions that they activate over the course of the game.

As the performance progresses the social dynamics and power relations between the cast begin to become apparent as arguments, laughter, tension and boredom dominate the atmosphere at different moments over the course of the performance. At times nothing happens, at times it seems as if something is about to happen and at times things do happen. The repetitive dealing of hands of poker underscores the action as the line between scripted performance, ad hoc improvisation and the personal motives and actions of the players becomes blurred.

The performance is translated to screen through a combination of 360 degree tracking shots, birds eye overviews and two tightly framed handheld cameras, which capture the facial expressions, movements and conversations over the course of the seven hours. Cinematic props, soft lighting, costume, music and backdrop draw on the aesthetics of cinema, television and theatre simultaneously. During the streamed performance the two artists live edited the four camera recordings over the course of the seven hours. The contingency of the live event and split second decision making is revealed in moments where the camera cuts suddenly, or the wrong button is pressed - betraying the fact that there is no second edit. The tempo and rhythm of the editing moves between different registers - long circular tracking shots; quickly edited, tightly framed sequences; shot reverse shot conversations and static overviews draw on a range of moving image vernaculars in a work that shifts between cinema, television, theatre and live stream.

The Crypt
Mahony's Ave, St Luke's, Cork, Irland
Weds - Sat 12.00 - 19.00