An increasing interest in exploring the critical potential of video for its capability to provide live and taped feedback and the relationship between the camera, subject and spectator marked a shift in Lange’s work. In his series Work Studies in Schools 1976–7, the studies of teachers in action were extended by the videotaping of the teachers’ and pupils’ reactions to these recordings, inviting them to speak for themselves. Seen by the artist as a means of personal assessment and ‘an educational process’ – as well as a means of exposing the process of its making – Work Studies in Schools also became studies of videotaping as a work activity in itself.
Darcy Lange, Studies of Teaching in Four Oxfordshire Schools (Charles Mussett, Art Teacher, Radley College, Class Study) 1977, photographic still. Courtesy Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Darcy Lange Estate.
Programme
Darcy Lange, Studies of Teaching in Four Oxfordshire Schools, UK 1977, ½ inch video transferred to digital, black and white, sound, approximately 12 hours (82 min selection)
In this more structured series, Lange selected only three teaching subjects (art, science and history) and two comprehensive and two public schools. The studies of teachers’ performances were extended by systematically videotaping the teachers’ and pupils’ analysis of these recordings and their exchange in the classroom. In this self-reflexive process, Lange’s videotaping was itself examined as work. Seen as ‘researches’ and ‘an educational process’, these tapes provide insightful discussions about the nature and motivations of Lange’s project. The series was shown with black-and-white photographs in the exhibition Work Studies in Schools, curated by Mark Francis and commissioned by director David Elliott, at the Museum of Modern Art Oxford in 1977.
Eric Spencer, Art Teacher, Fifth Form, Cheney Upper School, Oxfordshire. Class study and students’ responses, 32 min
Charles Mussett, Art Teacher, Radley College, Class study and students’ responses, 50 min
Introduced by Mercedes Vicente, series curator
Darcy Lange: Enduring Time is supported by LUMA Foundation and Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. All works in this programme courtesy Govett-Brewster Art Gallery from material preserved and made available by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.