This work isn't strictly speaking a video, but a moving image work created live using a laser and sound.
A thin laser-beam travels across the gallery space and strikes a speaker mounted high up on thewall
opposite. The speaker has a small mirror mounted on a latex skin over its cone and the vibrating mirror
redirects the laser-beam on to the surface of a photograph on the wall opposite. Intermittent sound plays
through the speaker and the mirror's motion corresponds to the frequencies playing through the speaker.
An indexical moving pattern dances on the surface of the photograph of a standing stone, taken by the
artist in Avebury, Wiltshire in 1984.
Link to other works shown at Laure Genillard, London 2019
Laser and Standing Stone (photograph 90x110cm)
Automaton, 2006 Automaton, 2006. HD video with sound. 6 mins (looping)
Filmed in a continuous single take using motion control technology, Automaton is an eloquently
choreographed tracking shot around the black and chromed curves of a drum kit, whilst percussionist
Steve Noble performs a dynamic improvised 'solo'. The opening shot exactly mirrors the closing one, which enables a seamless loop during exhibition. See dedicated page with more -information photos and video
BMW325i, 1994. Video projection with sound. 4 mins.
The video features grainy, slowed-down CCTV footage a BMW325i parked in front of the
Bank of England in the City of London. A pedestrian carrying a briefcase slowly traverses
the scene as the suspense builds.
More information here >
BMW325i, 1994. Video projection with sound. 4 mins.
Made shortly after the announcement of the IRA ceasefire in 1994, the video references the
unpredicatble but ever-present prospect of bombings that had hung over London and other
UK Cities for several decades. Dower lived about a mile away from the City of London
where several large bombs had gone off in the preceding years. More information here >
The artist climbs into a series of clothes recycling bins on the streets of London. Life on the
outside continues and after several minutes the artist emerges transformed, wearing a new
set of clothes found inside. Through the act of recycling, a subtle displacement of identity
has taken place.
First exhibited in 'Rational Behaviour' at The Tannery in Bermondsey, London 1996 More information, photos and video highlights here
Shelter was produced with computer screensaver software using a series of 35mm photographs
taken by the artist at a concert by the band Shelter in London, in 1996. The video combines still images
of the audience with images of the instruments and equipment on an empty stage and the band is absent
from the video. The screensaver software automatically zooms, pans and cross-fades the photographs.
Exhibited in 2004 at London's National Film Theatre in a program featuring Dan Graham's
seminal film 'Rock my Religion', Shelter was remastered in HD in 2018 and exhibited
at Ikon Gallery and Supersonic Festival (image above), both in Birmingham UK
Hot Music, 19923. 4:3 ratio video with sound. 4 mins (looping)
Exhibited on a cube monitor on top of white plinth.
Filmed in a single take, the artist walks on set and climbs onto a white plinth before making
a live performance to camera. The artist mimes to the shifting patterns of a toy drum machine,
which is manipulated live, as an invisible, but spatially consistent drum kit is mapped out. View video here >
Published in Zapp Magazine, issue #3 October 1994
Exhibited at Anthony d'Offay Gallery, London 1996 and MOMA New York 1998 ‘Hot Music’ has also been performed live.
Spirit level, 1993
Spirit Level, 1993. 4:3 ratio video (black and white) with ambient sound. 11.42 mins.
In this real-time sequence, the artist tries to maintain his balance with a spirit level glass
attached to his forehead. From a distance the image looks almost motionless, but when the
viewer looks more closely, the impossibility of absolute stillness becomes apparent. See excerpt of video here
Chromakey Doorway, 1994 Interactive, live video installation with sound. Dimensions and duration variable
A false door is set into the wall of an exhibition space. Muffled sound comes from behind the
door and a notice reads 'exhibition continues this way'. When the door is opened, a solid wall
painted with chromakey blue paint is revealed. On an adjacent video monitor the area of blue
inside the doorway is filled with a disorientating moving images.See more details here
In this film Dower interviews Bruce McLean about a spate of thefts and vandalism at
an artist's residency programme in the Netherlands. The deadpan interviewer elicits
increasingly comical reactions from McLean as the list of incidents grows. Laughter is
infectious and this video affects the viewer with its contagion.
First exhibited at Anthony d'Offay Gallery, London 1996. See video here:
Interview with Bruce McLean. 1994
3 Frame subliminal, 1997
Random play DVD with sound (above is low resolution GIF version)
Initially distributed on VHS at the Factual Nonsense 'Live Stock Market' in London, this DVD
for exhibition contains a subliminal image that flashes randomly every 20- 40 seconds on an
otherwise black screen.
Sean Sells Subliminals at the Factual Nonsense
Live Stock Market. Hoxton, 1997
Bluebell wood, 1988 Black & white Super 8 film transfer to video. Silent. 1min.
A static camera records a section of woodland. After some time, a previously unnoticed
figure drops from a high branch and hits the ground before walking off. The artist grew up
near these woods.View film here
Super-8 film-strip of Bluebell Wood
Power & Light (снага и светлост), 1990
B&W Super-8 film, transfered to video. 4 mins.
Power and Light is a top to bottom, interior study of a derelict power station in Belgrade. It
was filmed whilst preparing a live performance with the Bow Gamelan in the same building.
Text at the end of the film was written by Paul Burwell for the Final Academy, London 1983 View film here
Performance set for Bow Gamelan at Dorćol Power Station, Belgrade 1990
A bathetic shrouded figure with a box over it's head slowly emerges from the flow of
commuters crossing London Bridge. The bridge is one of the entrances to the City of London
and the busy commuters mostly avoid engaging with this irrational incursion into their lives.
The figure makes its way haltingly across the bridge and in to the City.View video here
Costume worn by the artist for the video London Bridge.
Exhibited at the Tannery, 1996
33 ⅓ RPM, 2004
Digital Animation transferred to HD video, with surround sound. 1 Min.
33 ⅓ RPM, installation booth at Netwerk Center Aalst, Belgium 2010
A pair of pink balls rotate hypnotically on screen at33 ⅓ revolutions per minute.Each time
theballs turn, the sound of a scratch from a run-out groove of a different record is added.
The intensity of sound builds until at 1 minute in, the balls spin off screen accompanied by the sound of aneedle skiddingacross a record. See also - 33 ⅓RPM live performance
The Ultimate Brown Sound Record, 2010
The Brown Sound, 2010 - Looping video with Brown Noise. 7.24 mins
The Brown Sound 2010 (video still)
Brown cubicle with carpet, LCD Monitorand full range speakers (dimensions variable). See video on youtube
Drug Den, 2001
Drug Den, syncretic camera script - 2001
Standard definition video with sound 5 mins. (installation dimensions variable)
A camera-based, remote characterisation system investigates and transmits video from a
woodland clearing. As the vehicle manoeuvres in and around the clearing, a scattering of
paraphernalia for ‘getting high’ becomes evident. The video was filmed syncretically, using
an electronic music track by Sonofapup, which guides the rhythm of filming and is included
in the final video.
The soundtrack was sped up for filming and then slowed back down to normal speed in the
final video. This resulted in a slightly slowed down video, which creates a more uncanny feel.
Still from I Want to Dance, 2001 (video with sound, 5.30 mins)
Video installation with 5 videos, total running time 22 mins. Dimensions variable.
Five music videos with sound and image made concurrently by the artist. Exhibited in a
a specially constructed space with sound insulation and safety lights. More information and images >
Landfall, 2013
Landfall, 2013. 13 mins. HD video projection with sountrack by Sonofapup
Landfall was shot at night in the harbour of Peurto Los Cabos, Mexico. The lights used to
guide ships to harbour flash asynchonously in the dark. The hypnotic film is accompanied
by an unsettling soundtrack, which mixes synthesised sound with field-recordings made
on site.Watchvideo of Landfall here (play loud).
Puerto Los Cabos harbour during the day
Aerobics Spots, 2017
Aerobics Spots (light), 2017. HD video with sound. 5.15 mins.
Aerobics Spots consists of two complimentary videos, which cannot be viewed at the same time.
The source material is a slowed down, blurry video of brightly attired dancers engaged in
Aerobics. The 'light' screeen has a mask of white dots overlaid over the dancers and the 'dark'
screen is a black mask with cut out holes revealing circles of moving colour underneath.
The soundtrack consists of a bass-like, muffled beat.
Aerobics Spots (dark), 2017. HD video with sound. 5.15 mins
Standard definition video, with soundtrack by Sonofapup 3.50 mins.
An Remote Characterisation System addresses hazardous or remote operational problems at a
distance via remote monitoring. This RCS, made by the artist, used a radio-transmitter and
receiver to direct the vehicle and camera from a concealed location. The 'rover' makes an
unanounced visit to the neighbouring studio of artist Mark Hosking in London. The soundtrack and video were conceived concurrently and the video is a precursor to the work Drug Den. Watch video here on Vimeo
RCS vehicle 2001
The Mobile DJ (2012 remix), 2012 HD video with sound, props and synchronised light show. 9 mins(with Guy Bar Amotz)
A video of a collaborative performance with Guy Bar Amotz was presented in the same
space where it was recorded (at Block 336 Brixton, London). The set and props used in the
performance were left in-situ and the lighting effects were played back simultaneously in the
space, giving an uncanny affect See more details and video here
Flowers, 1993 Standard definition video with ambient sound, 1.20 mins
The artist stands in front of the camera clasping a bunch of red chrysanthenums. Each time
he is about to speak the video jump-cuts and only the 'out takes' are left behind. The viewer
is left wondering about what is edited out. View video here
Flowers, 1993. Polaroid photo of the artist.
Palm Reader, 1993 Umatic video with sound, 2.10 mins
In Palm Reader, the needle on a record player's arm methodically explores the lines of the
artist's hand. The soundtrack relays the scratching sound of needle running through the lines. View video here
