Circling

part 4 of The Creation Cycle
1975, 12 minutes

In Circling, the key visual motif of a slowly spinning form is used as a visual metaphor for cyclical processes in nature in general. It also of course alludes to the Cycle of which it is a part, and other video Cycles in my work . .
Whilst there is no direct attempt to visualise specifically astronomical events, Circling triggers cosmic associations in most people. It would be equally valid to suggest its metaphorical connection to an individual’s inner space rather then a collective sense of “outer space”.

In parallel with the visuals, the soundtrack utilises repeating elements that circle back to themselves, and was performed as a live mix of eight pre-recorded tape loops running randomly alongside one another around the studio.

Circling was the first of three consecutive works funded by the British Film Institute, under the chairmanship of Barrie Gavin, over a period of two years – apparently I was the only video artist ever to receive funding from this source as their main remit was “film” (!) They also funded Teeming and Circling and the development of the Videokalos Colour Synthesiser to a functional prototype stage – built in a wooden cabinet.