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This weekend I had the opportunity to do something that I believe not many people have done, and that is to see the full 24 hour screening of Christian Marclay’s incredible film piece, ‘The Clock’, and what a spectacular experience this was!
My friend and colleague Didge and I rolled up to the Slaughterhouse- the Plymouth venue that is housing Marclay’s piece, as well as several other BAS7 artists- as prepared as we could be, with blankets, cushions, warm socks and an extraordinary excitement to see this piece in its entirety. Officially the screening began at Noon on Saturday 22nd (though of course it runs in a 24 hour loop regardless of whether the exhibition space is even open or not), and ran through until noon today, Sunday October 23rd.
I’d not had anything to eat or drink for about 12 hours so as to avoid having to leave at all during the screening, so I know that I arrived already a little tired and dehydrated, but actually the first eight hours or so flew by for me; the hours ticked by like minutes. It’s a peculiar experience, constantly being confronted by the time, especially when you are confined to a dark cube and completely shut off from the outside world. You are left to assume that by about half past 6 it’s dark outside, that by half past 7 the next morning it’s getting light again and that people are getting out of bed and eating their breakfast. I found myself wondering a few times, though just a few, what I would be doing were I not there; making dinner, doing some writing, going to bed; what time do I even usually go to bed anyway? It’s an especially strange experience for someone that usually doesn’t have much of a routine, or at least doesn’t keep time on it.
Throughout the screening I kept a notebook as well, and whenever I had a thought, or heard a line in the film that I thought was significant, I noted it down along with the minute of its occurrence. It was interesting how many of the clips not only referenced time with the presence of a time-piece, but also did so in their content- an incredible feat of editing by Christian Marclay. In fact the more that I watched of this film, the more impressed and astounded I was by the skill and patience it must have taken to make. What you don’t necessarily realise as well when just watching this film in several minute long chunks, is that the different clips don’t only relate to each other through the theme of time, but they are also grouped together, creating small narratives within this epic film; People answering telephones, breakfast, trains etc., which not only keeps this film engaging (as if it needed any help with this!), but also allows you to be involved in these other realities, for example for about 10 minutes at around 9am this morning we saw people waking up, getting out of bed, saying ‘good morning!’.
I began to fade at around 10:30 pm, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about leaving then. In fact I spent a long time fighting with myself, trying to convince myself that I absolutely had to stay. The knowledge that although I had already devoted 10 and a half hours of my life to this film and wasn’t even half way through made it very difficult, and I found myself wishing, ridiculously, that the film was only 12 hours long- which of course would be a nonsense because no matter what happens, the day is always 24. From about 10 until 3am or so were hard hours, and actually felt like quite a struggle to get through- not least because we were sitting on a hard floor in a freezing cold stone building. The film never became any less interesting or engaging though, in fact is was hugely frustrating having to be so distracted by physical discomfort when all that you want to do is give yourself entirely to the experience of watching the full 24 hours.
This passed though of course, and obviously I stayed the full 24 (in fact, though slightly disappointed as well, I’m very proud to say that Didge and I were the only two that made the entire film without leaving at all), and to call this a mind-blowing experience would be no understatement. In fact, there’s no getting around it, Christian Marclay’s ‘Clock’ is without a doubt an absolutely outstanding piece of art; certainly the most impressive, thought provoking, engaging, EXHAUSTING piece of work I’ve ever had the privilege of witnessing.
I’m actually writing a piece for the third edition of Nebula newspaper about my experience with the clock, which should come out mid-November, so stay posted and there may soon be a less hyperactive, over-stimulated, nonsensical article to follow.
Until then, if you are in Plymouth or nearby, I must urge you to go and see ‘The Clock’! You will certainly not be disappointed by it.
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