Greek tragedy employed the ekkyklEma as a theatrical device, which was a platform hidden behind the scene that could be rolled out to display the aftermath of some event which had happened out of sight of the audience, the most extreme forms of tragic violence are presented as off - stage events, out of sight but very much within the emotional reach of the audience.
With Imber Downe,the artist attempts to viscerally instil some of the violence, confusion and fear of the battlefield. With use of an ambitious multi screen projection, and surrounded by sound the spectator is immersed with-in the action.
Imber village is an uninhabited settlement in part of the British Armys 390 km2 of training grounds on the Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England. It is situated in an isolated valley area of the Plain. The entire civilian population was evacuated in 1943 to provide an exercise area for American troops preparing for the invasion of Europe during the Second World War. The 180 residents were led to believe they were doing their part for the cause, and would return home once the war was over. Although after the war, the villagers were never allowed to return to their homes. The village, which is still classed as an urban entity, remains under the control of the M.O.D, and thousands of new recruits are still trained annually.