The encounter between the spectators and the telegraph happens in two stages. They are two, very distinct experiences. The first is that of a kinetic, luminous object positioned in the exhibition’s nearby vicinity. We look at it from one of the overhead footbridges located on Le Fresnoy’s roof. From this perspective, the object shown remains mysterious, its purpose unreadable. It continues to compose a whole series of movements. Some seem to be waving and repeat as though an attempt at communication had been initiated by the telegraph. At night, it lights up and continues to swing. From this viewpoint, we could think of it as a merry-go-round of sensations.
The semaphore signal has been placed on the roof of the Imaginarium in the city, so as to emphasise the connection that it maintains with the horizon and the city’s perspective. Once inside the exhibition, visitors will have access to the hidden meaning of this machine placed in the landscape. Opposite them, a series of screens decrypt in real time the messages transmitted by the telegraph. The latter is also visible via a video retransmission. As the signs are imitated by the semaphore, translations appear in subtitles a little like on a subtitled film. If they wish, visitors can influence the composition of the messages broadcast.
A tactile tablet accompanies them in the choice of content to be sent. Once the writing of the message is finished, visitors can witness its broadcast in real time by the telegraph.
The messages composed by earlier visitors are also visible. Afterwards, they will constitute a register and will replace those that the vagaries of history have made disappear.