Skip to main content

Satie 840

By  Jill Townsley 2009

Dimensions
Dimensions variable

The music 'Vexations' was composed by Eric Satie in 1893, it was made for piano and consists of a short 52 beat musical phrase that is repeated 840 times. 'Satie 840' was my attempt to experience what 840 repetitions feels like - by chalking numbers on a blackboard. Starting at one each number was drawn and rubbed out by hand then replaced by the next number in basic numerical sequence. The whole process is repeated until the number 840 is reached. The event was continuous and filmed with a static camera in real time, this referenced the labour combining the action with the counting process. The film was then put into a loop, playing continually on a screen mounted next-to the original blackboard with the static 840 chalked onto the surface. The video shown here is an edited version of the 3 hr original.
Jill townsley till rolls 119847 Jill Townsley

Fullford in Fog (1 of 40)

Till Rolls

Till Rolls

Become a member

We support our members with: insurance, networks, space, opportunities, R&D awards, profiling, advice and mentoring.
Become a member

Join the UK’s Leading Artist Community

Be part of a caring, mutual aid network. Connect with fellow artists and access insurance, space, opportunities, and support to grow your practice.

Become a Member