Security Fandalism
© By James King
Across the pedestrian route around the top Derry’s walls,at the base of a set of steps was a huge metal spike topped security fence to prevent vandals from dropping missiles from the blocked off archway/gate. With us that day we had a a found object, a set of white window blinds, probably picked up out of a skip. The set of blinds offered itself as a counterpoint to the railings of the bars of the fence; in our attempt to contrast the flat white blinds with the flat black vertical bars. The blinds fell open and presented themselves as a fan. The title “Security Fandalism” emerged from one of our usual, protracted discussions. Eventually the pun was irresistible. After all the security forces responsible for the fence were vandalising our right to free access around the perimeter of the old city centre, a route which is thrown open to Orangemen, black preceptors and Apprentice boys on a regular basis to arrogantly flaunt their triumphalism at regular times each year.
This was part of the “Exercises In Spontaneity” project from 1988 to 1992
From 1988 to 1992 myself and Eamonn O’Donnell made a weekly intervention in the streets of Derry, using various forms of action in response to prevailing circumstances and diverse locations: from city centre monuments to back street waste ground. ( ...this has involved an unshakable confidence in the power and limitless possibilities of creativity responding to the every day and ordinary..Prof. Teresa McCormack , Moving Pitches forward). These actions were carried out in Derry, at various opportune sites, and pieces of waste ground, around the West Bank area of the city.”
Two of the images, “Security Fandalism, ” and “Pointless Dividing Line” relate directly to the “troubles.” “Security Fanalism”, was a response to the official barricading of Derry’s walls. “Pointless Dividing Line”, epitomises our concerns about the sectarian divide in the city.
“Form and Substance” , is open to interpretation, including the absence or loss of friends, in those difficult times. “Strip Searchers Brains”, was a spontaneous reaction to the horse manure, reminding me of the forced anal investigations experienced at that time by incarcerated prisoners.
The installation, “Social Security Network”, 1993, was devised by a friend who was at the time a political prisoner in England. Jim Hughes joined us in constructing it at the Playhouse. The overall theme was the constant struggle of people within the web of social security legislation and security force presence.
A detailed account of the “Exercises in Spontaneity ” project is published in “Moving Pitches “, Yes Publications, 2008.
1988-1992
Artwork and photo by James King