AGBAR

by Véronique GOËL
2005 / DVCAM / color / sound / 1S / 10' 45

Three stories and four shots tell us the story of Jean Nouvel’s Torre Agbar and its 144 meters that loom over Barcelona.

This is the story, in three parts, of the Agbar Tower designed by jean Nouvel in Barcelona. This 144 metre-high building, consisting of a circular glass and metal facade, was newly inaugurated. What better statement about such an œuvre dominating the urban landscape than filming it to assess its impact ? Véronique Goël’s standpoint is radical and minimalist. She decides on four fixed shots which diminish its looming presence by merging it into the dense urban landscape. Her shots of a solid rather than prominent tower are long enough to allow us a detailed and leisurely look able to perceive the perfect banality of everyday life contrasted by this extreme architecture.
The first shot is mute, despite direct sounds of the busy city. The other three are visited by two voices. In a neutral voice without emphasis, they speak three texts in Spanish, french and English. The first text is taken from a promotional poster of the city of Barcelona, the second is a list describing the utilisation of the various floors, and the third is a description of the tower by Jean Nouvel himself. Just like in Chris Marker’s mythical film « Lettres de Sibérie », these comments confer different meanings to one and the same scene. But the superposition of voices in the last shot results in a babble of voices that is definitely unable to get to the end of Torre Agbar, whose obtuse silence is recorded by Véronique Goël. (Jean Perret – translation : chu)

2 PRINTS IN DISTRIBUTION


distribution format DVCAM (PAL)
screen 4/3 (single screen)
speed 25 fps
sound sound
original language English & French & Spanish
rental fee 45,00 €

distribution format DVCAM (PAL)
screen 4/3 (single screen)
speed 25 fps
sound sound
original language English & French & Spanish
rental fee 45,00 €