During each date I go into a restroom and talk into the mirror about what is happening on the date - what I think about the guy, if filming is going well, how I perceive the date to be progressing. If I can't get to a restroom with a decent mirror, I will recap the date when I get back to my apartment.

The videos that result from this project are presented in a variety of formats. Some are montages of dates, others are clips of mirror scenes, and several are real-time date videos. The videos showcase the self-conscious atmosphere of dating, with its boring conversations and gaping silences. I am as nervous as my companions. The experience of covertly filming my dates is similar to that being a private detective - there's a lot of waiting around for something exciting to happen. The video stills transform moments into furtive images and clandestine scenarios and invest commonplace events with an aura of mystery.

Laurie Long

[the videos] | [ucr / cmp]