Philip Harris is researcher, image maker and senior lecturer at the University of Derby. He has a love of old, analogue technology which I originally mistook for a sense of nostalgia. However, Phil describes his approach to his work in a very different light, thinking instead in terms of the political, economic and social dynamics that play out through his choice of old tech. In fact, Phil is wary of falling into any form of nostalgia trap.
Our conversation took place in the open campus of the University of Derby, and I was struck by Phil’s passion both for his work and his vocation as a teacher. Phil describes the thinking behind ‘River-Film’, an immersive installation featuring a dozen or so cine projectors screeching and whirring as the film loops like an old mill loom, and I was so intrigued that I subsequently went along to see it in situ at Cromford Mill in Derbyshire. It did not disappoint and indeed was one of the best shows that I have seen for a long time.
Phil also tells me about his lockdown projection of a massive moving image of Boris Johnson on the outside wall of his house, and how his neighbours reacted to this impromptu screening.
I came away from this conversation with plenty of food for thought. Thanks Phil!
You can listen to this episode here: https://soundcloud.com/robertgood_art/philip-harris
This is the last episode in the current series, and so the last epsiode of this blog. I hope you have enjoyed them and I would love your thoughts, comments and feedback via any of the usual channels.
