One Thousand and One Boys Games

Creator:
Stephen PartridgeContributor(s):
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Based on a poem by John YeadonPerformed by John Yeadon and Tom McGrath
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Duration: 10 minutes
Year: 1984
Original formats:3/4" U-Matic Hi Band
Media types:Video
Technical details: Edited at Edinburgh College of Art, computer imaging at TV Workshop DJCAD, Dundee, Quantel paintbox
‘1001 Boys Games was based on a poem written by the painter John Yeadon in 1983. It combines computer-generated drawings by Yeadon from his Impossible Lovers series, with animation and digital video effects in a stream of images complementing the narration of the poem by the dramatist Tom McGrath. In addition to conventional camera-originated material and artwork, a Quantel Paintbox and a BBC micro computer were used to create the hundreds of ‘cells’ featured in the work.’
– Steve Partridge
“Speech returns, but still highly manipulated, in Partridge tour-de-force 1001 Boy’s Games, 1984, a video-vision of John Yeadon’s chanted poem, recited by Yeadon, Tom McGrath and Partridge himself. Graphic text, line drawing and video image counterpose each other. The wit of the poem inspires the complex counter-rhythms of the video, just as Yeadon’s relentless and quasi-logical categories echo Partridge’s own taste for philosophical equations (as in the line ‘Boys called John; Boys not called John’, for example). ” Al Rees, Stephen Partridge, cat, Univ of Dundee, 1998, MONITORING PARTRIDGE, Al Rees, ISBN 1 899837 29 9
Leaflet detailing biography and works by Stephen Partridge, including ‘One Thousand and One Boys Games’.pdf here
‘Annalogue: The Video Collection’ – artist information leaflet detailing biography and current artistic practice, includes information on the work ‘One Thousand and One Boys Games’.pdf here
‘An Englishman Abroad’, Stephen Partridge, Independent Media, 1986.pdf here
‘Stephen Partridge’, notes for ‘Video Artists on Tour’ card, undated.pdf here
‘Stephen Partridge’, unidentified tape programme details with short biography, c.1985. pdf here
Letter to Stephen Partridge from Jesse Bryant, Video Library Manager, ICA Gallery regarding his piece ‘One thousand and One boys games’.pdf here
Letter to Stephen Partridge from Tom Van Vliet regarding the use of his piece ‘1001 Boys Games’ in the World Wide Video Festival, 1986.pdf here
Compliments note from Anna Ridley regarding the choice of ‘1001 Boys Games’ in the 1987 ‘Cinemadart’ screening and letter to Stephen Partridge from Joan J. Cuesta, the Festivals director of ‘Cinemadart’ 1987.pdf here
Brochure for ‘Poetic Signals’ exhibition, with background information on the project and its foundations. Includes information on Stephen Partridge’s ‘One thousand and One boys games’, 1984.pdf here
Invitation to participate in the ‘Poetic Signals’ exhibition, curated by Manon Blanchette and Daina Augaitis at the Banff Centre, Canada.pdf here
Letter to Ian Haddow from Daina Augaitis, assistant curator of the Walter Phillips Gallery regarding the ‘Poetic Signals’ exhibition and the inclusion of Stephen Partridge’s ‘One thousand and One boys Games’ 1984.pdf here
‘9-14 September 1986 Den Haag Programma Krant’ – Programme of events, includes information on works by John Adams, Rose Garrard and Stephen Partridge.pdf here
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