Single channel video | duration: 15 mins 4 secs | HD (16:9) | colour | Pro Res, h.264
A document of a recreation of a representation of a recounted tale of an event that may or may not have happened.
In 2008 I documented the re-enactment of Da Vinci's The Last Supper by a group from The Art Organisation and Mello Mello, led by artist Gregory Scott-Gurner, credited here as 'Francis Ewe'. The final tableaux was captured in large format film by photographers Mccoy Wynne. The process took place over three days over Easter in a building in Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool (which would later become Wolstenholme Creative Space).
The film documents the process of making the work, from clearing out the space, to constructing the table, dressing the performers, right up to the click of the camera shutter. In embedding myself in the space over that time, I developed an approach to my filming, deciding early on not to use any interviews, and finding a mixtures of camera movement styles based on how I was feeling in response to the action.
Precisely a year later, the final image and the video document were shown for the first time on Maundy Thursday 2009 at FACT, Liverpool, as part of The Art Organisation's take-over of the space.
Looking back at the film now, it captures an important moment in Liverpool's cultural scene, and how that was tied to urban development, for better and for worse. This is perhaps a much bigger story and more complex discussion for another time. Regardless, seeing these faces again brings back the sense of optimism around the Wolstenholme Square, during Liverpool's Capital of Culture year. This boyancy, along with some underpinned the motivations for the Last Supper tableaux - Greg was 33, Jewish, and felt he was creating something special with The Art Organisation (indeed, TAO made Mello Mello and The Kazimier possible). Comparing oneself to Jesus is absurdly arrogant, but that is also perhaps the joke. Greg mixed sincere self belief with charm and a tongue firmly in his cheek.
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ORIGINAL CREDITS
THE LAST SUPPER
Filmed on a sony A1P.
a document of THE LAST SUPPER by Francis Ewe
Re-enacted / Created in Liverpool, Thursday 20th March 2008
Organized by Gregory Scott-Gurner (The Art Organisation) | meta-gurner.co.uk / theartorganisation.co.uk
Photograph of THE LAST SUPPER by McCoy & Wynne | mccoywynne.co.uk
Jesus and the Apostles:
Gregory Scott-Gurner, Robert Howie Smith, Sy Hackney, Beccy Williams, John, Laura Spark, Jack Darrell, Florina Caban, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Steven Gent, Nina, Mike Kerslake and Ant Gerraghty.
Special thanks to Maria-Luisa Olmos & Beccy Williams for there excellent work in costumes and make-up
Filmed and edited by Sam Meech
Produced by Luden AV
Selected Screenings
March 2009 – FACT, Liverpool, UK
LINKS
Archive.org page - https://archive.org/details/TheLastSupper_783