Adventures of Mister Seven, 2013
single-channel HD video and collection of found objects; dimensions variable, length 88' 13"
Adventures of Mister Seven presents a 2013 video interview about the fantastic life of its protagonist alongside objects from the artist’s personal archive. The video is made up of over four hours of footage, which is re-edited for each presentation of the material. The fantastic claims made within the interview reveal the spectacular nature of storytelling and mirror something of the artist’s own mystical identity as a prolific world traveller. Simon has realised projects in Madagascar, southern India, and Africa, in each case gathering objects and souvenirs that project storytelling in an abstract form. The piece takes on a new identity and formation in each iteration and context in which it appears.
Artist is inspired by scientific theories and models as well as by academic disciplines such as geography and economics, the functions and specifics of which are subject to constant civilizational change. Simon’s objects often take the form of visualizations based on mathematical formulas and statistical data. Their experimental and anarchical dimensions articulate clashes between scientific theories and the realities of everyday life, sociological phenomena, and politics. Many of his artistic pieces involve complex electronic systems that are made from scratch in accordance with a do-it-yourself philosophy. Simon consciously continues to search for practices and strategies that provide alternatives to those found within our contemporary culture of mass production and the prevailing system of artistic production.