'There are no hills in Utica'
Go-Kart still I [Speed] 2010
Go-Kart still II [For Sale]2010
Go-Kart still III [Men looking]2010
Utica 2010
This project was a journey around Utica, USA exploring the streets with a go-kart. On one level it was a way to get a reaction from the locals and to travel the streets finding a way to develope more of a relationship to the town physically - literally bumping up and down the streets - and socially.
It was a responce to small town America, and of course particularly Utica with its high rates of unemployment, depression and large amounts of empty buildings. Visually an large amount of people were always hanging out on yhe streets and sitting on their doorsteps. It was the opposite of the prosperous vision of America that its often thought of abroad.
In New York State just 5 hours by train north of New York City is the city of Utica. Industry has been moving out since the 70's, and the people followed it, so now it feels hollow and desolate.
The Go-Kart was made from a rough sketch without any purpose built materials and measurements. The effort of making it move makes the people moving it work hard and puts strain on them, encouraging them to work physically with it, and therefore the street to get it shifting. It became a tool to create a performance or narrative, with no expected outcome.
A few narratives emerged. Firstly the above photos of Becky fixed up in freezed still shots as though in the moment of go-karting down the slope, with locals looking on. Although 30, she looks like a little girl traveling down the rundown street. Surrounded by 'for sale' signs and fenced off buildings. Secondly we made a film of the 2 hour long journey around the town, recording any of the locals strange comments and insights when we passed them; "Does it go on water? Next you'll tell me its fuelled by ecstacy" and "Is that baby wagon?"
