Graham Fagen: Missing

Graham Fagen’s moving video diptych Missing explores the experience of going missing, and what it is like for those left behind. Commissioned by the Scottish National Portrait gallery, it is produced in partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland who are staging the adaptation of Andrew O’Hagan’s book The Missing.

Fagen’s installation is a two channel video piece of around eight minutes long. In the opening sequence two synchronized projections show the ocean – waves foaming, water ebbing and flowing. Our view is swaying as if on a drifting vessel. This effect is continued on one screen where a hand held camera wanders the streets of Irvine alone and then sets forth on a journey, peering from behind gates, looking down without purpose, direction or destination.

The other screen portrays a parallel narrative: the scene of those people left behind, with hints at absence – petals wilting, empty chairs, waiting. Included are references to well known cases of missing people.

At the end of November Fagan’s work will travel to Edinburgh for display in the foyer of the newly refurbished Portrait Gallery. In contrast to the collection of famous faces, the piece’s emptiness will bear witness for those who are missing.

Tramway, Glasgow, until Sun 2 Oct.