by
Gavin McClafferty
Dub plate as historical record.
Installation
POA
Verbatim
Soundwork and Installation produced in collaboration with sound technician Andrew Landsley. Making use of a recently unearthed cassette recording of speeches made at an Anti-Criminal Justice Bill demonstration, May 1994 in Trafalgar Square.
The sound was remastered and made into an acetate record also know as a test pressing or Dub Plate. This is a non-permanent record and survives only 40 plays before the sound quality deteriorates; the groove is smoothed as the record is played. It describes the impermanence of the historical record and how histories need refreshing and maintenance if they are not to be lost.
The Criminal Justice Bill protests were significant, as the Bill became an Act not so long after the Velvet Revolution in the former Czechoslovakia. Many commentators including Judges, Trade Unionists, Journalists, MPs, artist and Civil Rights Campaigners saw it as an unwarranted infringement of civil liberties.
Paradoxically Verbatim was created as a small band of MPs were discussing strengthening the law yet further and while the government was forcing parliament to consider 42 days pre-charge detention.
The piece demonstrated how history is pertinent to what happens now and needs to be actively maintained in the collective conscious to provide validity and perspective on the actions of today.
