Ruins of the Gaze

An architectonic video about the historic Les Halles, Europe's biggest metro station and shopping centre complex, in Paris. The Metro station's central traffic interchange has been nicknamed "Le Flipper". The pinball metaphor aptly depicts the uncertain, violent character of the liberal world: stay in the game as long as possible, follow the rules, and be ready to be hurled out at any moment. The people coming face to face at Les Halles are caught between endlessly judgemental gazes, social conflicts and history, right at the centre of the city of the image. The installation's five irregularly shaped, sculpture-like screens form a space of intersecting perspectives. Distinguishable amid the mass of humanity in the enormous building complex are a few individuals who momentarily break out of the ongoing, grinding pulse of everyday life, to become untouchable. (AV-Arkki)