A large-scale site responsive promenade production, inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci, The Book of Revelation* and
the ever-evolving world of Mechatronics**.
When:
28 January – 30 March 2013
Where:
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Book of Revelation: Chapter 22; verse 13
The starting point for IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE END was a Leonardo Da Vinci drawing, entitled “A Cloudburst of Material Possessions”: a surreal and apocalyptic vision depicting a torrential downpour of man-made objects. It is an image of man’s obsession with materialism and mass production at the expense of spiritual growth.
Leonardo was obsessed with mechanics, a science he described as “the noblest and useful above all others”. For him it was the root of all man-made creations that have motion. He was also aware that humanity might abuse science: it might be a gateway to discovery, or it might become a trigger our own self-destruction. Like the Book of Revelation, Leonardo’s drawing is a forewarning; is this end of the world or the start of a new world?
Threading its way through the maze-like underground passages that link King’s College with Somerset House, IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE END creates a series of journeys through calamitous, sometimes bizarre, accidents and divine revelations. Mixing Leonardo-inspired hydraulics and modern mechanical engineering with dreamthinkspeak’s special blend of film, installation and live performance, it reveals a vision of the world either on the verge collapse – or the brink of rebirth.
dreamthinkspeak will take over previously unseen areas of Kings College and Somerset House. Led by Tristan Sharps, the dreamthinkspeak core team of makers and builders will collaborate with engineers, 3D video practitioners, electronic hackers***and lab technicians from King’s College Physics department, seamlessly interweaving a range of technologies into the production.
Information
Dates: 28 January – 30 March 2013
Times: Timed entry slots from 6.30pm nightly Mon – Sat
Entry times at 5 minute intervals from 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Prices: £19.50, £24.50
You can book your tickets on the Somerset House website or through the National Theatre . Tel: 020 7452 3000
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*The Book of Revelation is the final part of The Bible. Recounting the prophecies of St John, it is an apocalyptic vision of the end of the world that prefigures The Second Coming. In common with many other religions, this revelation of global destruction is closely allied to a sense of regeneration and rebirth.
**Mechatronics is the combination of Mechanical engineering, Electronic
engineering, Computer engineering, Software engineering, Control engineering, and Systems
Design engineering in order to design and manufacture useful products (both domestic and
industrial).
***Build Brighton Hackspace is a communal workshop and collective of like-minded people
who love to combine electronics, crafts, engineering and technology. The Hackspace provides
an environment with tools and technical support where members can pursue their own work or
collaborate on group projects. BUILD BRIGHTON, will be a hub for the exploration and
development of mechatronic-inspired installations.
