This week I was lucky to hear artist Mark Titchner talking about what inspired him. He’s the latest artist to decorate the Big 4 sculpture outside the Channel 4 building in London. Even though Titchner had been nominated for the Turner prize in 2006, I must admit I’d not heard of him before, so I jumped at the opportunity to find out more when he popped into Channel 4 to give a talk.
I was particularly interested to hear that one of Titchner’s earliest artistic inspirations, back when he was a student at Central St Martin’s College of Art & Design, was Channel 4’s Video Box. This was a walk-in booth, similar to common photo booths, where members of the public recorded their views about Channel 4 programmes. The best of these contributions were shown on Right to Reply (the predecessor to The TV Show). The first Video Box, outside the Channel 4’s original building in Charlotte Street, London, was so successful back in the 1980s, that a second was built in Glasgow, followed by others around the country.
Mark Titchner’s work also draws on trade union banners that were traditionally carried on protest marches. The striking message of intent was carefully embroidered on a background showing the working environment of the marchers, and you can see this influence in his Big 4 sculpture.
Outside the Channel 4 building, Titchner has created a walk-in video booth for anyone to stroll up and record their views. Contributions are being edited using the same rules applied to general programming and shown in a loop on several large screens now also adorning the sculpture. So, if you really feel strongly about one of our programmes, and can get to Horseferry Road in London, you can tell not only the bosses at Channel 4, but anyone passing by, exactly what you think!
