Kieran Boland

face radio talk artists initiative,
melbourne 12 - 22 february 1998

 

Works on paper (1997-98) Installation dimensions variable. Total AM+FM length approximately 16 metres.

An enduring Fantasy of a centrally located Host/ Personality with an expansive view from a building in the CBD onto the surrounding broadcast location as he or she speaks. With the necessity of live airplay, radio talkback programming is of particular interest, as any response is potentially part of the program content. After listening to certain voices, details on a Host/ Personality were noted and images were made during their program time. The 24 hour clock can be divided up into the Frequency and Program according to the regularity in which I tuned in. The experience time listening to a Host/ Personality varied considerably from minutes to years. As an example, Tony Delroy (AM 774), who was in his early forties at this time had claimed to look like John Travolta on at least two occasions between 1994 and 1997. A regular Listener/Caller mentioned during a Quiz that he had received Tony’s photo in the mail along with some other ABC presenters. One mental image might be adjusted gradually over time and eventually superseded (or obliterated in a single instant as in the case of the listener who requested a photo of Tony Delroy).