Ben Holmes

Birds (2010)

4 min 52 secSingle channel / Digital Video / Colour / Sound

Ducks and geese search for food thrown into a pond. Pūkeko retrieve bread from an arrangement on a lawn. On the voiceover, a mysterious voice recounts a day at the beach being surrounded by birds, and a “a little boy who came running to us” and chased the birds away.

Part of a series of instructional videos made between 2005-2010 that were sent out with different accessories as part of a mail-based participation game. Their premise was to show participants how to perform different tasks and how to take part in a covert communication system through the use of various collusive actions, markings and signals. Initially they also incorporated a points and prizes system.

Other works in this series

CIRCUIT is the
leading voice
for artist moving image
practice
in Aotearoa New Zealand,
distributing works,
critical review and
dialogues
which reflect our unique, contemporary
South Pacific context.