The Watch Man
"Shona Illingworth's careful use of visuals and sound creates an emotionally charged environment that evokes both the pain of the remembered experience and the claustrophobia of feeling trapped inside a disturbed mind."
- Sandra Rehme, Time Out
Using video and sound, The Watch Man explores the conflict between trauma memory and the need for a coherent 'life story' through the experience of an 80 year old watchmaker, who as a 19 year old experienced one of the most deeply affecting and shocking events of the Second World War.
The work has been made in collaboration with University of Leeds neuro-psychologist Professor Martin A. Conway. Professor Conway is an internationally recognised expert on trauma memory, confabulation and the role of memory in the formation of a sense of self.
James Peto, senior curator at Wellcome Collection explains: "With successive generations living with the after effects of traumatic experience, this work reveals the impact of conflict on an individual over time. Shona Illingworth's emotive piece allows visitors the unique experience of literally walking over the sound and becoming part of the world inhabited by the watch man."
The Watch Man:
Venue:
183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE
http:///www.wellcomecollection.org.uk
Admission
FREE
Gallery opening times:
Thurs: 10.00-22.00
Sun: 11.00-18.00
Closed Mon (except Bank Holidays: 10.00-18.00)
The Watch Man has been supported by the Arts Council England. Hi-shine flooring has been provided by Harlequin Floors. The immersive sound of The Watch Man piece has been made possible by FeONIC audio technology (www.feonic.com <http://www.feonic.com> ) fitted invisibly under the floor of the exhibit.