Claire Swift
Garden of Forking Paths
The Garden of Forking Paths is a short story by writer and poet Jorge Luis Borges, created using several layers the story can be read in various ways creating not only a book but a maze. Using themes from this hypertext this video installation invites its audience to interact through the process of selection using the three laptops presented. Selecting not only visual image but sound, the audience are able to construct a narrative projected using numerous layers. Using the text the artist selected imagery embedded within the text and created visual patterns that the participant can decide and choose from. The work is a combination of three selections, still image, a moving couple on coloured backgrounds and soundtrack creating a visual representation of the story and ideas of Borges.
The gestures recreated using a stereotypical heterosexual couple, are taken from scenes within the text, ask to perform without expression the couple demonstrate recognisable gestures that allow the audience to develop an idea of narrative on screen and create their own story through their process of selection. This idea of narrative is also developed through the process of image and soundtrack selection, both of which use the same technique of deconstructing elements of the text and transferring these ideas into still image or music.
Written under the facade of a spy narrative the Garden of Forking Paths has a large similarity to today's digital media and hypertext projects such as Wikipedia in which its user is able to move through and select. Highlighting it's digital connection GFP uses laptops to show the choice of selection and allow the participant to make their own personal selection. Borges writes of "a labyrinth that folds back upon itself in infinite regression" and asks the reader to "become aware of all the possible choices we might make" these ideas are reflected in the video installation. The audience can discover all of the possible sound and visual elements they are able to choose from, however they are not trapped in the dilemma of choosing one and eliminating others; they may choose to unfold all possibilities as through the process of selection all elements are made available, filling the space with confusion. They "create, in this way, diverse futures, diverse times which themselves also proliferate and fork."
