117. empty distances

117. EMPTY DISTANCES

Trip to the countryside. May, 15th, 1983

(project)

After boarding the train, we distribute to viewers envelopes wih the inscription:

Trip to the countryside.

May 15th, 1983.

We thank you in advance for participating in its organization.

«Collective Actions»

Later on, viewers will place cards with inscriptions into these envelopes.

Having passed 100 meters down a road surrounded by fields, Panitkov, unseen by the viewers, turns off into the distance, into the field and stops.

At this moment, one of us stops the group of viewers moving down the road and, inscribing time on the card:

ONE OF US IS IN THE DISTANCE --------------------

time

hands the cards out to the viewers.

After the distribution of the cards, Panitkov approaches the group and, inscribing the time, hands out to the viewers other cards:

ARRIVED -----------------

time

After the distribution of these cards, the group moves further along road. As soon as it moves, Panitkov takes in his hands the end of a red thread, remains in his place, and Romashko, holding a blue rotator on which this red thread (500 m.) is reeled up, moves together with the group of viewers, unwinding a thread.

If no strange people appear along this distance (500 m), then Elagina, stopping the group, distributes the following cards (having inscribed time):

EMPTY DISTANCES--------------------------

time

Romashko simultaneously hands out different cards:

500 PASSAGE -----------------

meters

If, however, within these 500 meters, we see any strangers in the distance, then different cards are distributed:

STRANGERS IN THE DISTANCE------------------

time

While Romashko, accordingly, distributes the same cards, but having put down a different measurement (the approximate distance from group to the strangers who have appeared in the distance):

300 PASSAGE --------------------

meters

Along with these cards should also be distributed the card “EMPTY DISTANCES,” but first having crossed out this inscription crosswise with a red marker.

After the distribution of these cards, one of us turns on the tape recorder with a voice that announces: “Panitkov has lagged behind.” As soon as the viewers turn around to look at Panitkov standing at a distance from them, he approaches the viewers and distributes cards to them:

waiting

ONE OF US IS IN THE DISTANCE – 2-------------------

doing what

And indeed, when Panitkov began to move toward the viewers, Monastyrski went ahead on the road and moved about 50 – 80 meters away from group.

After Panitkov’s distributing the cards, Elagina turns on the tape-recorder which plays a sound-track with the words: “Monastyrski waits… waits… waits… etc.” for 5 minutes.

When the group decides to go to Monastyrski and approaches him, he gives them cards:

WAITED FOR---------------------,

having filled in the waiting time. minutes

After that, one of organizers hands the viewers the final card (large format, square):

Trip to the countryside. May, 15th, 1983

Subject: Distance -

Away -

Wait – (name)

______________________

Arrival - Reception

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Moscow region, Savelovskaya railroad,