Movements in Sleep
2005. Video with sound, 6 min 52 sec
A gliding sky from above interrupted by short sequences of people in constant movement: at an airport terminal, in a military plane, and at a possible urban destination. The rhythmic montage of sound and images suggests a common space in time, whereas the works title refers to a medical condition often exposed to sufferers of post traumatic stress disorders: Periodic limb movements in sleep is characterized by involuntary periodic episodes of repetitive and highly stereotyped limb movements during sleep. They occur at regular intervals and can wake the person from sleep or can go on unnoticed.
The distinct and elaborate soundtrack of "Movements in Sleep" makes it almost a song – a song about one of the core principles of our existence: That humanity is not a matter of privacy. Like Hannah Arendt pointed out in her philosophical-political theories, man is able to realize its humanity only through actions and speech directed against the collective. And all actions must relate to freedom. For some, freedom is created by action, for others it is taken away.
Extract from a speach by Marit Paasche at the premiere in Nasjonalgalleriet, Oslo, September 2005 (in Norwegian)
Theodor Adorno once wrote of Mahler's music that it resembled a cardiogram of a broken heart. Andrea Lange's art video Movements in sleep is a cardiogram of a broken civilization. An updated journey across the Norwegian-American landscape; new rotor blades from the diary of imperialism. Not as a static screen print, but as a restless montage of images and sound. […]
Movements in sleep carries a secret. It registers with the rhythmic curve of the cardiogram a culture that is about to be crushed. At the same time, it shows that the dissolution occurs in sleep, while we restlessly twist and turn, without properly registering what is happening. Mysteriously, the heart of darkness is revealed. Like a beautiful dream that turns into a nightmare.
Gunnar Iversen (Z Filmtidsskrift)
Watch excerpts and installation view in Tromsø Kunstforening (2008)
Read Camp Dreamland, catalogue text by Line Ulekleiv