Inhabiting the space between audio-essay and music-video, 'Baby-G' explores the figurative and spatial models of time embodied within the Baby-G (G-SHOCK) watch. Brought to market in 1994, the Baby-G was the first digital watch marketed to teenagers to include a quartz-controlled digital mechanism and world-time function, synchronising its user to a globally expanding, linear, capitalist ‘grid’. The Baby-G was equipped with the same “shock-resistant structure” as the all-terrain G-Shock watch, but with “feminine-friendly” appeal. A watch designed for a future where flexibility and preparedness would become crucial personal attributes.

Written by Nicolas Helm-Grovas, the work’s central text is voiced by Ash Reid and Judith von Orelli with musical collage and sound design by Anneke Kampman. Against this, video footage of Kampman’s friend, Valentina Fernandez Rodan exploring a local park is cut; video material stretched out in co-ordination with the layered structure of the soundtrack. The montage of pans, arcs and rotations which make up this audio-visual portrait recalling the dynamic structures of music itself.

Originally exhibited as part of 'An Endless Archive' at San Mei Gallery, London. (28 April – 10 June 2023)

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/35185