You’re the final boss in a video game, and you’ve just returned from destroying the hero’s town, starting them on their journey. You retreat to your lair to plan, when one of your minions bursts in, telling you about the bizarre exploits of the hero. “Oh no,” you think. “He’s a speedrunner.”
I sigh as I fall onto my throne, my fingers rubbing at my temples.
I had been revived enough times to experience speed runners before. Those weren’t heroes. They were monsters, only caring to kill me.
“Minion 16?”
“Yes, Almighty Lord of Darkness!” The squeaky voice replied.
“Be good. Find my son Bermuda, he will be in charge and you will be his advisor.”
“Wait, sir, your not going to-”
“Face this so called hero? No, I’m going to talk to Lady Luck. We need them to get the worst luck possible. They might give up on this country if their luck is terrible enough.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Then,” I sigh, turning around, activating my armor and materialize my great sword, Blood drinker. “They will have to face me.”
My armor clinks as I step towards the doorway, towards the light before I hesitate.
“Minion 16?”
“Yes Almighty Lord of Darkness?”
“If I fail, use Plan Omega, take my son and run.”
A grim silence followed. I couldn’t look at the minion. They had been loyal to me since the day I found the sword.
“But, don’t worry, I won’t fail. The plan is just if worst comes to worst.” I found the words spilling out of my mouth before I could stop it.
The minion seemed to shake themselves out of their shock as I heard a jingling sound.
“You’re right! The Almighty Lord of Darkness will never be defeated.”
A bitter smile forms from behind the helmet as I open the door. No one would know that I’ve already been defeated long ago.
Steeped in history yet rooted within the present day, The Listening Station embodies a series of responses to World War One. From archive-based material held within The Wilson to contemporary headlines and current affairs the installation considers conflict in its broadest form.
A shrine to War-and-Peace can be found at the centre of the work, surrounded by flowers, flags and protest placards. Quotes from conversations sit side-by-side with inter-generational drawings, song lyrics are placed next to slogans. A series of banners contain historical artworks which mirror, reflect and repeat, like history, they reveal poignant, political and powerful perspectives.
Through workshops, discussion groups and drop-in sessions lead artist Robyn Woolston engaged with Lives of Colour, the African Community Foundation, Cheltenham Borough Homes, Holst Birthplace Museum, P3, Oakley Community Resource Centre, Hesters Way Neighbourhood Project, Cornerstone Centre and ‘Change, Grow, Live’ as well as library, hospital and leisure centre users.
You can find out more about the projects research journey here:
