“Por favor Excusez-moi Lingua” is multi-channel video installation involving appropriated video clips displayed on six different monitors. The monitors are positioned to face each other, three on one side and three on the other side arranged in a semi-circular fashion as shown on the images below. The installation contains audio related to the video clips on the monitors. The piece will be installed in a 10ft (length) x 7 ft (width) long area.
The appropriated video contains clips from a British sitcom from the late 70’s called “Mind Your Language.” The series focuses on the adult students of English as a Foreign Language class in a London school. The humor of the show is derived from the students misunderstanding English words or terms, and plays up cultural stereotypes for each character's nation of origin.
I captured clips from six specific characters that have a continuing rivalry with each other throughout the show. To be more precise, all the clips contain scenes where they insult each other mostly using cultural stereotypes and their own personal insults. Each rival character will face each other from the monitors that face each other. Every time a clip plays from one side the other side would play a clip as a response. The videos will loop continuously that viewers will walk into the middle of a series of verbal exchanges where foreigners insult each other and, indirectly, the viewer as well.
I watched this show growing up and always found it amusing. Also, I can relate to this show personally, having learned English as a second language, having come from a different culture, and having taken ESL classes in college. I always found it fun and interesting to be around students from many different cultures. That’s one of the main reasons why I decided to do this piece. I decided to focus on the insults because they are a major part of the show's humor, and likely to provoke reactions from viewers. I decided to use appropriation because it adds more character into the piece than filming my own footage. It shows how television uses stereotypes from everyday life.
