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In the 1970's and early '80's Dave Critchley made and exhibited films, audio and performance works, and especially video from 1976. Showing in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Australia at many galleries, festivals and events. He collaborated with many artists on projects and exhibitions, in particular at 2B Butler's Wharf, the London Film-maker's Co-op and as one of the founder members of London Video Arts where he worked until 1986. For further recent information on David Critchley, visit Cradle to Grave. The Centre of Attention will show a special edit of Pieces I never did.

Pieces I Never Did

During 1978 and '79 when 'Pieces I Never Did' was made, colour cameras, U-matic cassettes and a wider range of colour monitors had recently become available. Consequently I was able to look again at many performance, film, video and audio ideas, and present them simultaneously synchronised on three players and monitors. Talking to camera, I described ideas that had never got beyond a note in my sketchbook. Paradoxically, I was able to resurrect in one-minute slots on video these items of personal performance that had been edged out by the structuralism of early video art. Low grade black and white equipment could not have fully expressed ideas such as shouting the words "Shut Up!" until I lost my voice, having objects thrown at me until I changed colour, or proposing to end the piece by blowing myself up. But I never got round to doing that one either.

Single Monitor Video Titles
Changing 1973 40min B&W Quarter inch Akai porta pack
Zeno Reache Zero 1976 5min B&W Sony half inch reel to reel
3D 1976 3min B&W half inch reel to reel
Static Acceleration 1976 10min B&W half inch reel to reel
Memory 1 1977 5min B&W half inch reel to reel
Memory 1&2 1977 10min B&W half inch reel to reel
Instruction Limitation 1977 10min B&W half inch reel to reel
Trialogue 1977 10min B&W half inch reel to reel
Pieces I Never Did 1979 35min Colour U-matic
The Sands of Time 1979 4min Colour U-matic
Dave in America 1981 20min Colour U-matic
No Record 1983 20min Colour U-matic

Multi media performance with video
The Tortoise and the Hare 1978 20min film, video & live performance

Multi Screen Video Installations
Yet Another Triangle 1975 20min cycle 3 screens B&W half inch reel to reel
Pieces I Never Did 1979 35min cycle 3 screens Colour U-matic