I’VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE

There are many YouTube videos in which DIY enthusiasts of the digital age present their homemade objects and devices.
These objects are not for sale and their purpose is often mysterious. Who would buy a robotic tail made out of piano strings or a singing origami mouth powered by small motors. So what’s the point ?

Taking an anthropological approach to the Web, Giuseppe Chico and Barbara Matijevic spent many hours watching videos of these curious devices and observing their makers getting about their homes like actors on a theatre stage performing plays never before accessible to the world.

The piece I’VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE is the fruit of this research and a tribute to virtual DIY communities driven by the spirit of informal and collaborative learning via the internet. It brings to the stage a new kind of imaginary shaped by increasingly advanced technologies.

I’VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE developed around nine objects inspired by hundreds of videos, sketches a poetics of these homemade representations, offering a glimpse into our collective imagination influenced by technology.

concept e testo Giuseppe Chico and Barbara Matijević
performed by Barbara Matijević

technical supervision, programing Ivan Marušić Klif
technical assistance, programing Igor Brkić et Igor Petrović
collaboration in animatronics Matthieu Schönholzer
object design Ivan Marušić Klif and Giuseppe Chico
light Florian Leduc
sound Viktor Krasnić and Giuseppe Chico
thanks to Martina Franić- Deborah Hustić – Frano Šoša – Makerspace Radiona (Zagreb), Elise Simonet, Delphine Hecquet, Andrea Navach

executive production 1^er Stratageme/Omnibus
production manager Colin Pitrat/Les independences – Stefica Bartolin / Omnibus
production Fondation Hermès as part of its program New Settings
co-production Kaaitheater (Brussels) – Menagerie de verre (Paris)
residency Parc de la Villette, in the context of artist residences (Paris) – Museum of Contemporary Art (Zagreb)
support DRAC Ile-de-France and DICREAM