If you are a typical spectator, what you are really doing is waiting for the accident to happen (2009)

If you are a typical spectator, what you are really doing is waiting for the accident to happen (2009) poster

“After about ten minutes the action comes to an abrupt end when Alÿs unthinkingly follows the bottle into the street and is hit by a passing car.” Begins with the artist in quintessential observer mode, videotaping the movements of a plastic bottle as it is blown by the wind (and occasionally kicked) around Mexico City’s main square, the Zócalo. The endless irresoluable rolling of the bottle had in fact led to a conclusion. For once, there could be no more delay. Suddenly it seemed that all the observation had been leading up to this moment. In fact, it is not possible to observe an action without affecting it. The observer is always involved, always implicated.

Director: Francis Alÿs
Runtime: 10 min
Release Date:
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Francis Alÿs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is If you are a typical spectator, what you are really doing is waiting for the accident to happen about?
“After about ten minutes the action comes to an abrupt end when Alÿs unthinkingly follows the bottle into the street and is hit by a passing car.” Begins with the artist in quintessential observer mode, videotaping the movements of a plastic bottle as it is blown by the wind (and occasionally kicked) around Mexico City’s main square, the Zócalo. The endless irresoluable rolling of the bottle had in fact led to a conclusion. For once, there could be no more delay. Suddenly it seemed that all the observation had been leading up to this moment. In fact, it is not possible to observe an action without affecting it. The observer is always involved, always implicated.
Who directed If you are a typical spectator, what you are really doing is waiting for the accident to happen?
If you are a typical spectator, what you are really doing is waiting for the accident to happen was directed by Francis Alÿs.
How long is If you are a typical spectator, what you are really doing is waiting for the accident to happen?
If you are a typical spectator, what you are really doing is waiting for the accident to happen has a runtime of 10m (10 minutes).