From dawn until dusk the camera, running on fast forward, steadily takes in a playground, in one continuous shot. The colourful climbing frame appears isolated from its usual surroundings, the place where it is located is exceptionally clean, sterile almost. There is no boisterous play, no cheerful laughter is heard. For the most part, the playground remains deserted and silent. Only from time to time someone enters the frame, children mostly alone or sometimes in twos, but their attention is not held for too long by the climbing frame. The question arises whether this place, conceived by adults, has been designed less for unrestrained children’s play than for disciplining it. The rare instances where people
(or animals) enter the scene are perceived as events, even in the case where nothing else is happening. These moments pass quickly and the playground is again left to itself and to nature. The changes of light and the resulting shadows are the only play taking place, and the wilted leaves are the only trace left by the passing day.
- Barbara Filser