The Futurist
Single screen video with stereo sound, 25 mins, 2008.
In a dark, apparently derelict Liverpool cinema, Tony, an amateur comedian and gumshoe detective, chats with other comics in the ticket queue and the bar. He talks of his recent visits to his past life regression therapist, and tells some of the jokes he has written about it. At various points the other male and female comics in the cinema relay messages to Tony from an unknown and unseen man who is trying to contact him. There is clearly something unpleasant that Tony has stumbled on at some time in his past, something that he is impelled to uncover further, despite the risks. Will Tony’s past catch up with him before he does? Thanks to MUCK collective, Tony Schumacher, Alexandra Jones and Kai-Oi Jay Yung. Commissioned by Tate Liverpool.
Purchased in 2012 by the Victoria Gallery and Museum with funds from The Contemporary Art Society.
Tony Schumacher (The Futurist Cinema website). 2013 essay about filming the work.
Andy Johnson (Art in Liverpool website). 9/11/2012 review of the work.
Laura Davis (Metro). 12/10/2012 review of the work.
Alex Hetherington (A-N website). 4/2/2009 review of the work.
Sue Hubbard (The Independent). 6/1/2009 review of the work.
Robert Clark (The Guardian). 13/12/2008 preview of the work.