Please tell us about your latest project.

We were approached by Warp films to direct an 8 minute promo for Battles, an American band. We have worked on music videos before, but it was exciting to have complete control over the process, and also to have the opportunity to work with a band that have such an amazing presence live.

With this in mind, we created a light installation in a barren Welsh slate quarry within which the band performed. We wanted to put them in a unique environment that would react to them and their sound. The idea was that the light columns somehow represent the tight, almost mathematical structure of their arrangements and that the organic chaos of the landscape represented the sometimes chaotic nature of their sound.

Battles. Tonto. 2007

How is it different from your previous projects?

This is the first time we’ve directed a live-action video. The biggest challenge was the fact that it was an 8 minute film, a long time in the world of music videos, so we decided to create an interesting environment and document the performance as a unique event.

Any obstacle or challenge in the current undertaking?

The main challenge was that we were filming in a Welsh slate quarry. There were horrendous storms in the UK at the time and we only had the band for one night.

We had terrible weather for the setup and initial shoot, but luckily for us the weather was great on the night of the actual shoot with the band.

Which is the most satisfying project up-to-date? why?

“Volume” at the V&A. We created a three month long installation in the John Madejski garden at the symbolic heart of the building. We wanted to create an ever-changing responsive experience that visitors could influence.

“Volume” at the V&A. 2006

We created a forest-like volume of light and sound consisting of 46 columns of LED, which people could explore in groups or alone. Each column had its own speaker so when the visitors walked through the grid, there was a complete, immersive audio visual response from the installation.

How would you like UVA being remembered?

A series of amazing experiences, that people want to share.

“Echo” at the Tate Modern, 2006

Have you had any fear that you or your team will be running out of energy one day? if the day comes, what would you do?

We would get a new team. Seriously, part of the joy of creating our work is how it changes and we change over time. Constantly challenging yourself means that you can keep making mistakes and learning from them forever.

What would you do if the world is without sound one day (total silence)?

Sleep.

If you had to pick an object (anything will do) to represent each of UVA member, what would you pick for yourself and them. why?

A black cat, a beautiful sunfllower, a pebble, a passport, a light emitting diode, a towel, tupperwear, a shadow, a stopwatch, a piece of paper, a guitar, a pack of cards. We aren’t going to tell you why.

Lastly, please leave a message to the readers.

Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.
Cleverness is mere opinion, bewilderment is intuition.

United Visual Artists Ltd.
Address: 1 Chapel Court, London SE1 1HH
Tel: +44 (0)20 7378 0303
https://www.uva.co.uk