'THE ONGOING SONG or FILMING MYSELF SINGING ONE NOTE, FOR FIVE SECONDS, ONCE A YEAR, EVERY YEAR, FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, EACH NOTE ADDED ONTO THE END OF THE ONE BEFORE, SLOWLY BUILDING UP INTO SOME KIND OF CONTINUOUS, WAVERING, IMPROVISED CHRONOLOGICAL TUNE' 2008 - onwards

A collaborative video project, that will remain unexhibited until it is completed. Launched in 2008 at i-cabin gallery it was then dismantled to be gradually rebuilt every year.


Notes on the Note / Directions for my Directors

'The Ongoing Song …' is one of a series of artworks where I use the collaborative process to connect directly with another individual. Each year I record my five second note I want to partner up with another individual, letting them influence every aspect of that year's piece of footage as they control the recording from behind the camera. These partners will be people I've already met, who have some skills with, or access to, video and audio recording equipment. I am interested in tapping into the technological choices and stylistic decisions of each year's partner, submitting myself to their suggestions, methods and sensibilities.

I am keen for the collaboration to fit in exactly with whatever time and energies the partner is available to give to the project. So it could be quickly squeezed into a gap during another filming project they are working on, or allow them the chance to try out something they have always wanted to. I only expect them to feel satisfied they have ‘put their stamp' on that year's footage.

The only givens on my part is that I will be singing my continuous note for the full five seconds; I will be somewhere in the foreground of the shot; the footage will be cropped to the start and stop with my singing; all effects will be produced ‘in camera' with minimal post production; I should be perfectly audible so minimal ambient noise; and we can do as many takes as we like. Each year's collaborator will undertake the project without seeing the previous year's efforts.

For a variety of reasons there will be no payment for this work but each collaborator will get a unique artwork in exchange for their efforts.


Barry Sykes


Collaborators so far:

2008: Lewis Amar (Artist)
2009: Jake Strickland (Producer/Director, Digital Fluid)
2010: Jeremy Millar (Artist, Curator, Writer)
2011: ?


An article about the launch of this project, written by Dani Admis for ArtRabbit.com is available here.