a shared interest in the bounce

a shared interest in the bounce

About

The Camden Bench, this amorphous piece of concrete, has been designed to resist a multitude of anti-social

activities (as defined by the London borough of Camden, who commissioned

it). The bench has a graffiti resistant coating, the sloped top

deters rough sleepers and skateboarding is made nearly

impossible by its angular features. It is an object that is defined by what it is not for, as opposed to what it is for. As a result, the Camden Bench

has been described as ‘the perfect anti-object’, a site where subversive

activity is unachievable.

The bench operates as a signifier for the freedom we are rapidly losing in

public spaces. It is a bench that says, “don’t be here” or “if you are here, obey the rules.” Rather than

solving social problems and anti-societal activities, the bench simply deflects them. Subversion is

relegated to other areas of the city, where the buildings are less shiny and

the wages are lower.

a shared interest in the bounce is played by a simple set of clearly

defined rules, within (and sometimes against) a myriad of hidden rules

associated with public space. It is

simultaneously a game and an occupation, where players act as a team to maintain the bounce of a ball against the surface of the bench. Instead of competing against each other, they actively engage the bench in competition as a durational performance.

The game seeks to subvert the intentions of the Camden Bench and animate it in a playful manner, whilst drawing attention to the narrow set of activities that it allows for and contesting the freedom of public spaces. It is the intention of the game to give the bench a new function, which takes advantage of its oppressive design features and would not be playable without them.

How To Play

- 2-6 players- 1 table tennis ball- 1 table tennis paddle per player- 1 Camden Bench

1. Players work as a team to maintain the longest rally they can attain, playing the table tennis ball against the surface of the Camden Bench.

2. The ball must bounce on the surface of the bench once between each hit. It may bounce numerous times.

3. Players may not hit the ball twice or more in succession.

4. The rally ends when the ball hits the floor.

With thanks to:

Charlie EvansJames Mijnlieff

Mamadu TysonStephanie Irvine

Emily Carter