TILL DAWN, Test Subject 2
1995 – 2002, 110 min, VHS
TILL DAWN is an autobiographical found piece, the recording of a test at the driving-simulator of Mercedes-Benz AG in Berlin Marienfelde (one of the biggest installations of it’s kind in the world).
The prologue of the video: "At the end of an all night vigil Test-Subject 24 starts her ride. Driving under conditions of extreme fatigue is researched. The simulated autobahn path is exceptionally tedious. No aids are allowed to help in staying awake." The video’s title is a reference to the well known feature-film FROM DUSK TILL DAWN that is about enduring until sunrise against an overpowering horde of vampires and zombies - which provides the viewers entertainment. The video TILL DAWN on the other hand challenges the audience, as well as the protagonist, with the difficult task of staying awake despite a minimum of entertainment. Only the failure of the protagonist, Test-Subject 24, ends the video – she loses control over the vehicle. The simulated nightscape is transformed into a simulated sunrise.
Ulrike Solbrig, Germany: Chausseestr. 110-I, 10115 Berlin, tel.: +49 1557 43 5656 3 ulrike@solbrig.de