In Bag Machine, two unseen performers unfurl a paper bag slowly. The paper bag suspends in mid-air by four nylon lines attached and threaded through into two machines. One machine rests on the floor, and the second machine hangs from the ceiling. Using these machines, the performers control the bag’s movements – the top four corners of the bag pulled upward by one performer, the bottom four corners pulled downward by the other. As the bag unfurls, the nylon strings tighten.
The sounds made by the unfurling bag and the tightening of the nylon lines are amplified by a contact microphone and guitar amplifier. The performers make their movements as slow as possible – the resulting sounds drawn out as long as possible. The video features one bag, two simultaneous views and five attempts at unfurling as music.
Exhibition History: 2014, Doris McCarthy Gallery (Toronto, Canada), 2011 York Quay Gallery – Harbourfront Centre (Toronto, Canada), 2011 Jessica Bradley Art + Projects
