Royal Hastings, University of London Multimedia Art MA Final Project

Candidate name: Jonathan Danners

Candidate number: 0883482

The final event:

The voice stopped. I tried everything to tune in again. Nothing. If only it hadn’t stopped immediately after I’d attempted a break in the circuit. We’ve lost the wavelength or something. But we couldn’t go on like that – the voice talking, us listening. Communication is, by definition, interactive. I can’t believe anyone, let alone the likes of Edison or Tesla, would develop a machine of this nature and not ensure it was two-way.

What did Jem and Patrick do to the unit when they tinkered with it? Earlier I wondered if they’d unwittingly opened the door to its secrets, but now I think they severed a delicate link and disabled a vital component. I kept thinking back to the way RD 8 stored the unit. In its own room, a controlled environment. Had we let it get too warm or too cold? Was humidity to blame? Dust?

We finished the installation a day or so before the event. After RD 8’s feedback, panic helped us make up the time we lost – so the tunnel and the centrepiece were ready early. On another level, time is running out. The event is our chance to move on. Sell this technology to someone with the expertise, vision and resources to do what, in all the years they could have tried, RD 8 clearly never did.

To: MMAM ( FTP ); cc: Gela Nathaniel

From: Jonathan Danners

Date: 30 May 2024

Subject: Logistics

So the final event is here. We pack up the installation, transport it to RD 8, rebuild it in their event space and introduce their guests to the experiential tunnel. The company will deliver their own presentation and, once everything is over, we’ll break up the materials and carry them to the incinerator.

Ludya and Jem will liaise with the tech team on-site to set up the screen presentation and soundscape. I’ll be there to oversee lighting. Patrick and I will help load the installation and are responsible for repairs and reassembly, assisted by Jem and Ludya once our tech is sorted.

This is it!

Jonathan

Doodle message group [Private] Gela and Jonathan, 30 May 2024:

Gela Nathaniel

Why are you so keen to destroy the work?

Jonathan Danners

Because it’s over. We incinerate everything. That’s an order.

WhatsApp chat between Jem Badhuri and an unknown number, 30 May 2024:

Unknown number

Is this Jemisha Badhuri?

Jem

Who is this?

Unknown number

I’m the external examiner for Royal Hastings’ Multimedia Art MA . I’ve just been handed all the coursework, plus your student profiles. I understand you wanted to contact me.

Jem

Did Hannah give you my number?

Unknown number

That’s right.

Jem

Well, I got a First in my BA and I want a Distinction at MA . With art being subjective, I don’t want the unconscious bias of my tutor (who has always favoured another student) resulting in my grade being negotiated down. I’m a lot younger than the other students and I’m very aware their maturity could, potentially, make my work seem juvenile.

Unknown number

I’m confident your final grade will be an accurate reflection of the work you put in and of the progress achieved on the course.

Jem

I hope that’s true. If there’s even a slight chance I might not get a Distinction, then I *will* be asking for a regrade and won’t hesitate to continue that challenge to whatever level it takes.

Unknown number

I’m sure that won’t be necessary.

Jem

Good. Because let me tell you, the things that’ve happened behind the scenes on this course would make your toes curl.

Unknown number

What exactly has been going on behind the scenes?

Jem

One of the other students, Alyson Lang, hasn’t been seen since the sourcing team went to Somerset back in January, and the rest are covering it up. By the rest, I mean Gela too. When I looked into Alyson’s disappearance, I discovered she’s actually called Suzie Danners and is on this course using her sister’s name. She’s married to Jonathan Danners, another student. He told us he couldn’t take a first degree because his mother and sister died ten years ago. I then found out he did a Bachelor’s at Imperial, works as a climate scientist and that his mother and sister died *two* years ago. They must have a very good reason to tell such odd lies. But that’s not all. Gela had favourites from the beginning. When Alyson and Jonathan stole a radio from RD 8, Gela hushed it up to save face. You can request all our Doodle comms from Royal Hastings. But now we’re in touch, let me invite you to our final-project event. The installation features an amazing centrepiece, a spine-tingling soundscape and an experiential tunnel, all made to a strict client brief. The client has zero idea about art, by the way.

Unknown number

I’ve accessed the Doodle cache already and have secured an invitation to the event tonight. I’m on my way.

Jem

Really? That’s amazing! The others will be stoked!

Unknown number

Thank you, Jem, but don’t tell them. Let’s make it our surprise. In the meantime, if you have any private emails or WhatsApp messages that might give me an insight into the course and its students, please send them to me.

Jem

I’ll do that as soon as I can. By the way, what’s your name?

Unknown number

Ben Sketcher.

Doodle message group [Private] Hannah and Gela, 30 May 2024:

Hannah O’Donnell

Diversity forms. This is literally the last day before I need to submit the data.

Gela Nathaniel

Yes, yes! Here they are. Attached. Sorry, Hannah. It’s this RD 8 event. Sorry, sorry.

Jem Badhuri’s Doodle Diary, 30 May 2024:

Today’s the day! I’m here now in the studio, with the head. Everyone says how amazing it looks. Griff, Rita, Tony, Gela – everyone who’s been supportive of me. The other MA students? Well, they’re all in their own worlds and there they can stay.

I’ve just given the head a great big hug. I feel excited but sad. It’s like saying goodbye. Before long it’ll be out in the world being poked, prodded and criticised by strangers. I’m not complaining, but the head is mine. My idea, and I did most of the work on it. If I have any regrets at all, it’s that it’s not a permanent piece. The materials will degrade. Should I have devised a sculpture we could fire, that would last for ever? Yes, but if I’d fired it I wouldn’t have achieved this masterstroke of touch. The cold steel and warm clay is a deliciously conflicting sensation. We can’t simply destroy it. I’ll make sure, one way or another, that it escapes the RD 8 incinerator. Dad can lower the back seats in the car and, once we get it home, he’ll make room for it somewhere.

Doodle message group [Private] Gela and Jem, 30 May 2024:

Gela Nathaniel

Hannah called me about your diversity form. You ticked ‘no’ where you should have ticked ‘yes’.

Jem Badhuri

I don’t think so.

Gela Nathaniel

It’s important for the department that this form is accurate.

Jem Badhuri

Which question?

Gela Nathaniel

‘Do you consider yourself to have a disability?’

Jem Badhuri

I don’t consider myself to have a disability.

Gela Nathaniel

I realise that, but others – who don’t know you – may, and this form is purely to aid the department in its programme of inclusivity.

Jem Badhuri

The question says: do you consider yourself disabled? – and I don’t, so I ticked ‘no’.

Gela Nathaniel

But it would help us if you ticked ‘yes’, because the department has worked hard to make the course and the studio accessible for students who *do* consider themselves to have additional needs.

Jem Badhuri

So, because I’m blind, I’m disabled? I disagree. I identify as able. That’s very important to me.

Gela Nathaniel

And we respect that. But future visually-impaired students might feel differently. We want them to know that others have been accommodated and excelled, as you have. You’ll be an inspiration to them.

Jem Badhuri

Well, OK then. I’ll get Dad to print the form out again and tick the other box. But remember how accommodating I’ve been when you mark my long essay.

Gela Nathaniel

I will, Jem. Thank you! You know you’re on track for a Distinction. You only need to convince the external examiner.

Doodle message group [Private] Jem and Hannah, 30 May 2024:

Jem Badhuri

I’ll resubmit my diversity form.

Hannah O’Donnell

Thanks, Jem. I know how important it is to pursue the things you want in life. You’ve approached this course with energy and enthusiasm and never once logged a special-consideration form. Unlike some of the others.

Jem Badhuri

I don’t intend to for the final essay, either. I don’t mention it unless I really have to, and I appreciate when others do the same.

Hannah O’Donnell

You know, if you find yourself needing help at any time, it really isn’t a problem to ask. There are some things intelligence, ambition, energy and attitude can’t compensate for.

Message group: 2024 Examiners, 30 May 2024

Tilda Ricci

Jemisha Badhuri is visually impaired?

Ben Sketcher

She’s blind. Yes.

Karen Carpenter

Does everyone know that? Gela, Jonathan … the whole MA group?

Ben Sketcher

Of course. How could they not?

Karen Carpenter

Because no one mentions it in these documents.

Tilda Ricci

I’m shocked. How can we have read this far and not realised something like that?

Ben Sketcher

We have to ask ourselves if it matters – whether or not we knew.

Karen Carpenter

I’d have felt sorry for her if I’d known.

Ben Sketcher

Perhaps that’s why she doesn’t mention it. For her, it’s of no consequence to anyone else.

Tilda Ricci

But it is to us, if we’re considering the possibility that another student on the course was in danger and then disappeared. I’m left wondering what happened that Jem couldn’t possibly have known about.

Doodle message group [Private] Gela and Cameron, 30 May 2024:

Gela Nathaniel

Who is Lisa Hough and why does she have my phone number?

Cameron Wesley

My lovely ex-wife. She studied at Royal Hastings, so probably knew who to ask. She hasn’t got my number, thank God.

Gela Nathaniel

She says you were supposed to be at your son’s school sports day, which you never miss. She hasn’t heard from you.

Cameron Wesley

Haven’t got her number, so couldn’t let her know. Tell her I’m stuck on a job overseas. Cheers.

Gela Nathaniel

You share a child and don’t have each other’s numbers?

Cameron Wesley

Long story.

Gela Nathaniel

Here’s her number – you can tell her the long story yourself. I’m leaving now for the RD 8 event that you should be at.

Cameron Wesley

I’m there in spirit.

Doodle message group [Private] Gela and Jem, 30 May 2024:

Gela Nathaniel

Jem! I’m in the studio and, *drum roll*, Alyson just walked in! I am delighted to see her again and know you will be too. It means we’re almost a full team for the event.

Jem

It’s definitely her?

Gela Nathaniel

It’s definitely her.

WhatsApp chat between Ben Sketcher and Jem Badhuri, 30 May 2024:

Jem

Hey Ben. Guess what? ‘Alyson’ is here in the studio. She hasn’t disappeared, and I feel a bit silly causing such a fuss now.

Ben

The student you told me was missing? Suzie Danners?

Jem

Yes! It’s definitely her. It’s her voice, her footsteps and her brand of cigarettes. Her voice has changed, the way my dad’s voice changed when my grandad died last August. As if the energy is gone. In Dad’s case, it was grief. Anyway, she’s here, so false alarm!

Ben

Well, that’s good news, but I’m already on my way to RD 8. I might as well see the installation now, if I can. It will help me mark everyone properly. I should arrive just before it starts.

Jem

We’re all packing up and bickering because we’re nervous about the whole thing. The centrepiece is ready for loading in the van. According to the others, it needs rebalancing, so they’ve weighted it from the inside. They assure me it doesn’t affect the way it looks or feels. I’ll meet you outside, as planned.

Ben

See you there, Jem.