Lucy Stevens

The inspiration for What was that? was based on the exploration of memories and childhood fears, notably the bogeyman and the darkness. These fears were fuelled by my fascination for watching horror movies and reading about alien and UFO conspiracies. As the viewer enters the video installation via two sets of heavy black fabric they are surrounded by complete darkness and confronted with EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) in the form of loud squeaks, wails, scratching and thumping and then silence. After a short silence, flickering imagery of a tiny creature appears in the corner of one room from inside a half opened wardrobe. Deborah Dean- Visual Arts & Exhibitions Manager, Nottingham City Museums and Galleries commented that: What was that? plays with the language of horror suspense: common sense dictates that it is all just smoke and mirrors but until we have proof, we will go on imagining the worst.