Outpost 4
Medium: Silent Video Loop on DVD (Format 16:9, HDV)
Duration: 4min 48sec
In Outpost 4 the central figure is dressed in a white workers uniform onto which approximately 3000 envelopes were hand stitched, some containing loosely fitted paper-printouts of red crosses/ the letter x . Around him are scattered loose boxes, all seemingly packaged for transport purposes. As the sun rises he unfurls a massive red flag that he gently waves from side to side. This action progressively increases in speed and intensity before the video abruptly cuts to black. Below are some production stills. The work is a contemporary, African re-iteration of the ‘Raft of Medusa'(1818/19) by Théodore Géricault.
Production stills from Outpost 4 (shots not included in final video)
Direction and Post-production: Johan Thom & Garreth Fradgley
Production Assistants: Olivia Morgado
Special thanks: The Nirox Foundation, Frank Myburgh of Digital Film, Johannesburg
johanthom.com 