installation view at SculptureCenter, New York, 2018

Photo: Kyle Knodell

Midlands is the fictional land within which the collegiate American Mock Trial Association sets its fabricated cases. Midlands the project juxtaposes the theoretical space of the fictional Midlands, with the concrete, physical space of the courtroom.

Midlands: Setting

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Midlands: Setting begins with a closely framed image of a judge’s bench. The camera pulls back, revealing the chair is in a grand, well-lit space. The panning camera raises further, revealing itself to be a drone moving through a two-story space, recording the red velvet chairs. From this aerial viewpoint, one can see vaulted ceilings, and wooden seats. Hovering over the witness chair, the drone looks back the familiar but empty courthouse.

Text is typed across the screen. Slowly accumulating, the rules of engagement in Midlands are revealed.

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Midlands (Character) begins with a close up shot of a computer document with the words “Midlands Courthouse” typed in simple font. The camera pans back to reveal the setting is a Google doc and a scrolling legal screenplay. “Prosecutor” and “Defense Attorney” characters actively comment on the Google doc, offering their internal thoughts about the movements and gestures of the courtroom drama.

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Midlands: Prop opens on a computer program with the blinking text “Begin to scan”. A green then blue digital material grows in the central frame. As the camera pans the blue material develops, a men’s blazer is formed. When the scan is complete, the blazer disappears and then returns as a shiny blue coat.

installation view at the University of Georgia, Dodd Galleries, Athens, G.A., 2018

installation view at the University of Georgia, Dodd Galleries, Athens, G.A., 2018