Marnix de Nijs talked about “Run motherfucker Run”, an aggressive interactive installation whereby anyone in good physical condition may try his or her luck in a city of empty streets, deserted intersections, ominous alleyways and unexpected obstacles.
When you take position on the 5 x 2 metres treadmill before an enormous 8 x 4 metre screen you are subjected to a mix of film with an atmosphere somewhere between a thriller chase and urban horror. Although you are free to determine the speed of the belt, only if you run fast will you get an optimum image at full brightness. As you slow down the image fades. So physically there is a mechanized pressure to keep up the pace and an urgency to hold onto the imagery of the world in front of you. This in combination with the tangible power of the machine creates a temperamental balance between control and non-control of the situation you voluntarily entered into when you first stepped on the treadmill.