Turn Vault (1), 2008

Turn Vault (1) is a moving image work from the series Traceurs: to trace, to draw, to go fast – a collection of twenty black and white films created using a thermal imaging camera, which capture a series of moments in which traceurs (parkour practitioners) come into physical contact with the urban fabric. The camera, which sees the world in terms of temperature rather than light, makes visible the glowing white heat residue transferred from hands, fingers and feet onto the surfaces that the traceurs nimbly leap onto, run across and spring off.

The collection of films is screened simultaneously as part of a multi-channel video installation. Five black and white photographic prints accompany the films.

Related publication: Traceurs: to trace, to draw, to go fast with an essay by Richard Grayson.

Commissioned by Westminster City Council.