SCREAM THE HOUSE DOWN: BRISTOL

BY MARCUS LYALL

The Corn Exchange, Corn Street, Bristol BS1 1JQ, 

 3rd - 12th February 2023 (5 - 10pm)

 

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Originally created in London during lockdown via a Zoom call, this large-scale light installation was activated by the sound of people’s voices, which illuminated an entire building.

Taking centre stage at an iconic Bristol building, it offered the chance for visitors to the festival to light up The Corn Exchange on Corn Street in a sea of colour as this monumental light installation responded to their voice: The louder and longer the outburst, the bigger the response from the building. The installation interpretated every voice and scream differently, to create a unique response for each person.

Image Copyright: Andre Pattenden

Bristol Light Festival is by Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID).  Their aim is to bring colour, light and play to Bristol city centre spaces through a range of events featuring installations from local and internationally renowned artists.  

With thanks to Bristol’s City Centre & High Streets Recovery and Renewal programme, which is funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England’s Combined Authority’s Love our High Streets project, with the aim of supporting the recovery of Bristol’s priority high streets.

 
 
 
 
 


SCREAM THE HOUSE DOWN

June 2020 – Southwark Street, London SE1


Participants were invited to vocalise their inner frustrations to power a large-scale light installation. By joining a Zoom call they could watch their outbursts illuminate a four storey office building.



 

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

With social distancing still in place and tensions continuing to rise, London-based artist Marcus Lyall transformed a soon-to-be-demolished office block in London Bridge into an interactive public artwork.  In this new site-specific work, Lyall invited participants to join a Zoom call where they could scream, yell, shout or otherwise vocalise their feelings.

A monumental light installation instantly illuminated the building in response to their voice. The louder and longer their outburst, the bigger the response from the building. The building interpreted every voice and scream differently, to create a unique response for each person.

People participated using any device that supported the Zoom app. The artwork was designed as a safe and constructive excuse for people to release their inner tensions. ‘Primal Scream therapy’ has long been investigated as beneficial for psychological issues such as depression and anxiety. While the artist makes no medical claims, a long and loud shout may be a good way to relieve inner tensions.

 

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I developed the artwork to provide a cathartic release for people isolating at home, by providing a big colourful object to yell at - Under these extraordinary circumstances, vocal profanity is permitted.
— Marcus Lyall
 
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All calls will were recorded for artistic purposes and may be used by the artist to develop future installations.

Marcus was heard discussing the project in a broadcast on Resonance FM as part of Bankside Open Spaces Trusts - Great Get Together - due to the global situation at the time, instead of a live street party, they brought everyone together via radio with “The Power of Community” as its theme.