Here, Robert Filliou demonstrates the artistic proposal of the Principle of Equivalence: Bien Fait, Mal Fait, Pas Fait (Well done, Badly done, Not Done) as applied to video.
The three elements are presented in succession, each lasting 10'.
- Bien Fait: A monitor shows a recording of Robert Filliou who, blindfolded, is following orders. Standing up, nearby, Robert Filliou executes the commands of the monitor "to the best of my ability".
- Mal Fait: Robert Filliou proposes the same action, this time from a distance: a mirror, fixed to the right of a monitor which is showing Bien Fait, shows the artist watching Bien Fait. There is no standard judgement b etween Bien Fait and Mal Fait, it is just a contrast to which Pas Fait will be added.
- Pas Fait: Robert Filliou, alone in front of the camera, explains the principle behind the creation of this tape. He considers the three elements as one - Bien Fait - to which Mal Fait is added, then Pas Fait ,
each lasting for the same amount of time: thus, the tenth item proposed by the tape would last for 2,700 hours, i.e. around 112 days, the twentieth item 15,000 years and the hundredth longer than the non-existence of the universe. In th is case, the greater part of the video would be "Pas Fait (not done).
We can understand then how this Principle of Equivalence can be the basis for Permanent Creation and, in particular, the Permanent Creation of the universe according to Robert Filliou.

Catherine Ouy