Publications

In it for the duration

By: Paul Glinkowski

Paul Glinkowski talks to artist Jem Finer about his ongoing project Longplayer, and to his collaborator James Lingwood, Co-Director of Artangel.

When Jem Finer told Artangel about his idea for a new artwork that would last 1,000 years, it was a classic case of, the right approach at the right time; in 1995 Artangel was beginning to think about commissions for the year 2000. What better way to mark the Millennium than through a project that would set new limits for time-based art? "I first had the idea for Longplayer back in autumn 1995," recalls Finer. "I had no clear understanding at that time about Artangel or the way it worked, but I knew Michael Morris, one of the co-directors, vaguely socially and asked if it was something that might interest him." It did. And, following an initial conversation, it was agreed that they would work together to make the idea a reality. Finer had already begun to research how an evolving piece of music lasting 1,000 years could be realised. "The idea worked theoretically and conceptually," he recalls, "but technical problems were presenting themselves." Artangel's involvement and support at this vulnerable stage was crucial. "I was in the early stages of experimenting and just having the feeling of being taken seriously and having an organisation supporting me meant I could work on it in...

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