Rosy Beyelschmidt
Double Dutch

1987
4:3 color video, 2-ch sound, 5:22 min, U-matic highband transferred to digital

Director · Writer · Camera · Sound : Rosy Beyelschmidt
Writer · Sound Design · VFX · Editor : Dieter Beyelschmidt

at: Kaos Galerie, Cologne, DE, 1987 · Leipziger Dokumentar- und Kurzfilmwoche für Kino und Fernsehen, DDR, 1987 · Fotoforum Bremen, DE, 1987 · Video-Wochen, Ulmer Museum, Ulm, DE, 1988 · Junge Kunst in Europa, Hallen der Deutschen Messe Hannover, DE, 1990 [c] · Middleton McMillan Gallery, Charlotte/North Carolina, USA, 1992 [c] · NEXUS Contemporary Art Center, Atlanta/Georgia, USA, 1993 [c] · Mediale Hamburg, DE, 1993 [c] ...


Double Dutch, an acrobatic rope jumping, was the inspiration for my video work. Two ropes, set in oscillation, their intermediate space in the form of a lens, represents the play space in which we can, want or have to move; it is free space and limit at the same time.
The rope swingers determine the size of the action lens on the one hand through the length of the rope - smaller or larger means more or less possibilities/playing space - and on the other hand through the speed, the beat/rhythm of the vibrations, the ability to keep up, to be there. Stumbling, getting out of step can be allowed or can mean the end.