SanArt

Diana Thater, "Los Angeles Theatre Marquee," 35mm production still from "Between Science and Magic," 2010. Courtesy the artist.

The Oscars, aka prom night for Hollywood, are just around the corner! Who does The Academy love more: the noble savage, the noble soldier, or the noble soldier-turned-savage? Are you on the edge of your seat or what?

If you answered “or what” to that question, you might prefer to spend this Sunday at the Santa Monica Museum of Art, whose current exhibitions offer an excellent antidote to “movie magic.” Disassembling that particular phrase is the crux of preeminent video/film/installation artist Diana Thater’s newest work, Between Science and Magic. Thater’s installation (also on view across the country at David Zwirner Gallery until March 13) features a film of a magician repeatedly performing the iconic rabbit-in-a-hat trick, while Jeffrey Wells’s concurrent exhibition, Seeing While Seeing, represents a clever manifestation of Wells’s own distinctive approach to  deconstructing parallel themes of illusion, trickery, and suspension of disbelief.

Jeffrey Wells, "Seeing While Seeing," installation view, 2010. Courtesy Santa Monica Museum of Art.

The low-tech trompe l’oeil animations in Wells’s installation are just as psychedelic and phantasmagoric as the high-end CGI phosphorescent forests in Avatar, and are far more lively and dimensional. As you enter the museum’s project room, the walls begin to dissolve before your eyes. With a series of subtle projections, Wells deftly liquifies two corners of the room into wiggly lines, while strange after-image-like rectangles appear and disappear around the two pictures that hang on adjacent walls. Even as you attempt to anchor yourself by reading the exhibition’s wall text, the letters begin to dance off the page, glowing and pulsating. The exit sign suspended at the top of the doorway echoes itself onto the nearby ceiling and opposite wall, as though reflecting itself onto a watery surface. The effect of the work is simultaneously disquieting and invigorating. Suddenly, the world around you feels malleable, porous, and oddly comical. The projectors are revealed, but it’s not entirely possible to determine exactly how Wells produces these strange effects – and you kind of don’t want to know. Wells, like a magician, has performed a trick that leaves his audience buoyant with pleasant bewilderment and inquisitiveness.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Wells’s mutating wall, Diana Thater addresses both the intersection and divergence of art and magic in her installation commissioned by the SMMoA. I must say that I find it a bit of a stretch to describe this particular work as an installation, although Thater herself would probably argue that projecting her film on the wall of the Santa Monica Museum constitutes it as such. I would disagree entirely with this classification were it not for the two speakers that amplify the mechanical whirring of her two film projectors. This effect ultimately allows the work to fill the vast space of SMMoA’s main gallery, rather than simply existing on a single plane. In addition, the piece is comprised of two separate films, though the projectors align to produce a symmetrically balanced split-screen effect.

Diana Thater, "Between Science and Magic," 2010. Two 16mm films, 2 modified Eiki RT-0 projectors with custom loopers, 2 amplifiers, 2 equalizers, 4 speakers. Dimensions variable. Installation view, Santa Monica Museum of Art, Santa Moica, CA, 2010. Courtesy the artist.

The film begins with a double-vision moment, in which famed magician Greg Wilson appears simultaneously in both projections, executing the classic magician’s feat of producing a white rabbit from an ostensibly empty hat. In a rather tired gesture of meta-ness, Thater initially shot the sequence in her studio, then screened it at the historic Los Angeles Theatre–the self-proclaimed “last and most extravagant of the ornate movie palaces,” constructed between 1911 and 1931. She then filmed that screening, so what you’re actually watching is…(drumroll please)…a film of a film. Did that just blow your mind or what?

The left-hand camera orbits Wilson counterclockwise, filming the scene from a new angle as he repeats the trick in 14 different takes, while the right-hand camera remains stationary. His actions and timing are so exacting that it is impossible to determine at first if the right-hand projection is comprised of the same take on a loop, or if Wilson is executing the trick multiple times.  Meanwhile, this temporary disorientation is multiplied by the initial ambiguity of the left-hand screen. During the first half of the film, it seems as though the magician himself is rotating clockwise. Thus, the mechanisms behind Thater’s process remain just as opaque as the magician’s, until finally a camera appears in the background of each film (manned by Thater and her director of photography, respectively).  “Crossing the line” and exposing the crew are signatures of Thater’s films, but I believe that the maneuver takes on greater significance in this particular piece. While LA Times critic David Pagel bemoans Thater’s “dreary” attempt to distance her artwork from the lowly world of entertainment, I am inclined to disagree with his qualms — not only because his review is part of a longstanding personal feud with Thater, but because I find the work ultimately rather generous. Although revealing the crew in this moment does serve to distance the piece from the slick universe of “movie magic,” it simultaneously decreases the distance between the viewer and the work. Suddenly, you find yourself in on the joke, becoming privy to the “science” behind Thater’s “magic.” And in that moment, the work feels satisfying and generous, despite its aura of austerity.

Diana Thater, "Josephine," 35mm production still from "Between Science and Magic," 2010. Commissioned by the Santa Monica Museum of Art. Courtesy Hauser & Wirth, London and David Zwirner, New York.

Diana Thater: Between Science and Magic and Jeffrey Wells: Seeing While Seeing are on view through April 17, 2010, along with Nira Pereg: Sabbath 2008, a video projection that also explores ideas of illusion, transformation, and staging. For more ruminations on the dubious confluence of art, magic, and entertainment, check out Karthik Pandian’s Grand Canyon Journals.

Noble soldier transforms into noble savage in "Avatar." Via Hollybeam at photobucket.com

Peter Friedl
Bilbao Song, 2010
Film still
Courtesy of the artist

sala rekalde
4 March – 6 June 2010

sala rekalde presents a solo show by Berlin-based artist Peter Friedl. The exhibition consists of a selection of recent works, ongoing projects and the premiere of his latest film installation.

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Here’s some news on a few bits and pieces we are up to in next few weeks.
You can also find out what we’re up to by subscribing to our new blog at
http://thomson-craighead.blogspot.com/

Thanks and best wishes,

Jon & Alison

–> MyWar
Foundation for Art & Creative Technology (FACT), Liverpool
12 March – 30 May, 2010 (& Touring)

We will be showing ‘A Short Film about War’ as an installation for the first time alongside works by Phil Collins, Renzo Martens, Milica Tomic, Knowbotic Research, Harun Farocki, Sarah Vanagt, Joseph Delappe, Oliver Laric, Dunne & Raby, Harrell Fletcher and SWAMP. We’re also really excited that Animate Projects have commissioned Lisa LeFeuvre to write a contextual essay about, ‘A Short Film about War’, which is available on their website to read and download as a diffusion book alongside a streaming version of the work.

+ See a streaming version of, ‘A Short Film about War here: http://www.animateprojects.org/films/by_date/2010/short_film_about_war

+ Read Lisa’s essay here: http://www.animateprojects.org/writing/essays/l_le_feuvre

+ More information about MyWar exhibition: http://www.fact.co.uk/2010/mywar

–> Recycled Film Symposium / AV Festival
Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle Gateshead
Friday, 12th March 9:30am – 5:00pm

Straight after MyWar exhibition we will be hotfooting it from Liverpool to Newcastle to present work as part of this day long symposium alongside Rick Prelinger, Craig Baldwin, Iain Sinclair, Poppy Simpson, Mike Sperlinger, Paul Gerhardt, Rebecca Cleman and Annet Dekker

+ More info: http://www.avfestival.co.uk/programme/10/events/recycled-film-symposium

–> Several Interruptions
Urban Video Project, Syracuse, New York
April 1st 2010 – April 30th 2010

For the month of April, our YouTube video triptych, ‘Several Interruptions’ will be projected onto the side of a high-rise building in downtown Syracuse, New York for the month of April. You can find out more about the Urban Video Project at: http://www.urbanvideoproject.com

+ You can watch a streaming version of, ‘Several Interruptions’ here: http://www.thomson-craighead.net/docs/interruptions.html

+ You can also watch it and read a contextual essay by Sarah Cook here: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/our-work/several-interruptions/

–> Rethinking Curating
We are in a couple of books out this month. The first is called Rethinking Curating: Art after New Media and is by Beryl Graham and Sarah Cook with an introduction by Steve Dietz and published by MIT press. The second is called, ‘A brief history of working with New Media Art’ and is by Beryl Graham, Sarah Cook, Verina Gfader and Axel Lapp and published by The Green Box, Berlin.

+ Two further links: http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=12071 / http://www.thegreenbox.net/en/books/brief-history-working-new-media-art

Call for Entries!

EXPERIMENTAL FILM and VIDEO FESTIVAL in SEOUL 2010 (EXiS 2010)

Seventh annual international experimental film and video festival EXiS 2010 is waiting for your innovative film and videos! EXiS is the only one and the biggest premier showcase of experimental works in Korea.

? FESTIVAL DATES
Sep 2-8 2010, Seoul, Korea

? ENTRY DEADLINE
May 15, 2007 (Postmark)

? What We Look for:
Experimental film or video work in any format and length possible

? Requirements
1) Films completed after: January 1st 2009
2) Preview Tape (1/2″ video cassette or any region DVD or r Mini-DV
either NTSC or PAL)
3) Country of production: all countries (except Republic of Korea)
4) Entry Form (both mail & e-mail)
5) 1 photo of artist & 3 production photos
6) If needed, use additional papers for ‘synopsis’ or ‘artistic
career’ (free form)

- NO ENTRY FEE

? Where to Send:
Attn. Programmer at EXiS office
Mapo-gu Soegyo-dong 475-13
Wonchun Bldg. 6th Fl.
Seoul, Korea (121-842)

When mailing, please be sure to mention “without commercial value,
for cultural purpose only” and mark “No value”, or no more than “$10″

? Contact:
Office Telephone +82-2-3141-1814
Email programmer@ex-is.org

All the material submitted are not supposed to be returned.

? Awards
International EXiS Award
Korean EXiS Award
Jungwoon Award

Complete entry form and guidelines available on our website at
http://www.ex-is.org

Saint Cecilia Convent
21 Monitor Street

Williamsburg / Greenpoint / Bushwick

March 13 – April 3, 2010
Opening: Friday, March 12, 7 – 9 PM
Web Site

Hours: Sat 12-10 pm, Sun-Mon 12-6 pm
with additional hours for special events
(Details at: roundrobinbrooklyn.blogspot.com)

The Round Robin Collective is pleased to announce ECSTATIC, an exhibition and series of events to be held in the former convent of St. Cecilia’s Parish in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

For four weeks, The Round Robin Collective – along with a group of invited artists – will populate the four-story maze of private rooms, living spaces, stairwells, and alcoves previously occupied by nuns. Taking varied approaches to the installation of their separate rooms, individual artists and collaborative teams will present recent works or will respond directly to the building that is imbued with its own unique history and sacrosanct aura. While some of the participating artists’ work deals directly with notions of ecstasy, the title of the show does not allude to an overt theme in the work presented; rather, it refers to the process of making and encountering art and the results produced from inspired relationships. Like the mental transport or rapture that can exist in the contemplation of the divine, the experience of creating and considering art can trigger moments of ecstasy.

Exhibiting artists will include: Lisa Boumstein-Smalley, Mary Billyou, Amanda Browder & Stuart Keeler, Caroline Burghardt, Lisa Caccioppoli, Ofri Cnaani, Chris Cobb, David Coyle, Jeff DeGolier, Martin Esteves, Gisela Insuaste, Jamie Kim, Stephanie Liner, Deirdre McConnell, Katherin McInnis, Emcee C.M., Master of None, Huong Ngo, Christopher Rose, Stephanie Rothenberg, Dorothy Royle, Matthew Spiegelman, Janos Stone, Cassie Thorton + Action Club, Jenny Vogel & David McBride, and Audra Wolowiec.

Curated screenings, workshops, and performances will be held weekly in the former chapel of the convent. Events include: opening party music by Donny Hue and the Colors as well as Irvin Morazan’s “Musical Chair Performance,” an homage to Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians (3/12); an evening of sound performances with Lary 7, Flying Teeth, and Doom Trumpet (3/13); “Low-Resolution Stories,” live cinema with Jenny Vogel and Ofri Cnaani followed by music with Brown Wing Overdrive (3/19); “The Alternative Art Space Movement in NYC,” a panel discussion with Erin Sickler, Herb Tam, Rob de Oude, and EmCee C.M., Master of None moderated by Mary Billyou (3/20); music by Toys n Tiny Instruments followed by “Diamonds in the Sky,” a evening of film/video curated by John Passmore (3/20); “Escape from the Orgone Box: Houdini & Reich on Film,” an evening of film with live soundtracks by Séance presented by Bradley Eros and Marianne Shaneen (3/26); a collective sewing day with Amanda Browder for the construction of the public artwork, “Future Phenomena” (3/27); an empanada and tamale demonstration/potluck event hosted by Gisela Insuaste and Irvin Morazan (3/28); closing the exhibition, a film/video screening curated by Jem Cohen (4/3); additional events to be announced. Details and updates regarding all the events are available on our web site.

The Round Robin Collective is a Brooklyn-based group of artists established in 2008 to forge connections and create a space for dialogue in and out of the studio. Meeting for monthly studio visits, members of the collective work in all media, fostering a dynamic exchange across disciplines and outside the commercial sphere.

Opening night sponsored by Great Bar Harry, Brooklyn (www.bargreatharry.com) and Powder Blue Design and partial sponsorship of events by Dandelion Wine, Brooklyn, (www.dandelionwinenyc.com).

Thanks to Leanne Gilbertson for her excellent work covering the Houston contemporary art scene. Up next is Kevin McGarry. Kevin is a writer and curator based in Brooklyn, NY. His journalism has recently appeared on Rhizome, T Magazine Blog and the online editions of Art in America, Artforum and Interview. He is a director and programmer of Migrating Forms, a festival of new experimental film and video held at Anthology Film Archives in May.

netEX: calls & deadlines –>MARCH 2010
————————————-
NewMediafest’2010
10 Years :||cologne
————————————-
newsletter contents

a) . news
b) calls & deadlines
–>
04 Calls: 2010 deadlines internal
29 Calls: March 2010 deadlines external
11 Calls: ongoing external/internal
————————————————
a) news

NewMediaFest’2010
10 Years :||cologne
global heritage of digital culture
1 January -31 December 2010
http://2010.newmedifest.org

includes in March following venues –>

12 March
Manipulated Image @ The Complex Santa Fe (USA)
For the Action’s Sake – screening event
co-curated by Alysse Stepanian and Agricola de Cologne
http://manipulatedimage.com/

11 – 14 March
Traverse Video Festival Toulouse/F
3 videos by Wilfried Agricola de Cologne
http://www.agricola-de-cologne.de/blog/?p=541

14 March
Oslo Screen Festival – http://www.screenfestival.no
Presentation CologneOFF V

Agricola de Cologne’s video “Silent Cry”
http://movingpictures.agricola-de-cologne.de/blog?page_id=47
participates in
11 – 28 March – VideoFormes Clermont-Ferrand/F
12 – 14 March – Oslo Screen Festival Norway -

————————————————
b) Calls & deadlines
—>
————————————————
2010: deadlines internal
————————————————
NewMediaFest’2010 has currently 4 calls running

CologneOFF VI – Let’s Celebrate! – deadline 5 April 2010
Call for film & videoart
5 Years Cologne Online Film Festival
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1907

VideoChannel – deadline 2 March 2010
~imaging – artists portraying themselves in film & video
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1852

NewMediaFest’2010
VideoChannel – deadline 2 April 2010
One Minute Films of OMFC (One Minute Film Collection)
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=447

NewMediaFest’2010
*ongoing deadline 1 September 2009 – 1 September 2010
Java Museum – Forum for internet Technology in Contemporary Art
will be celebrating in 2010 its 10th anniversary and is looking for
Internet based art from the years 2000-2010
details, regulations and entry form can be found on
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1428

————————————————
March 2010 deadlines: external
————————————————
31 March
Les Ateliers de Rennes – Contemporary Art Biennale Rennes/F
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1979

31 March
Time Film Festival – Lausanne/Switzerland
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2076

31 March
International Art Cinema Festival Bergamo/It
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2041

31 March
Sardinia Film Festival Sassari-Sardinia/IT
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2035

31 March
Fonlad #06-2010 – online digital art festival
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2087

31 March
Media Poetry Competition
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1930

27 March
Euganea Film Festival Padova/italy
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2005

26 March
Art By Chance Festival – ultra short film festival
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2002

19 March
The Eye Kea project Cork/Ireland
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2067

15 March
Imagine – Towards an Eco_Aesthetic – Aarhus/DK
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2073

15 March
Advertising Life – Azyl Short Film Fest Bratislava/SK
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2032

15 March
Digital Graffiti Festival – Alys Beach – Florida/USA
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1995

14 March
UAVM – Virtual Worlds
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2084

10 March
DOCVILLE – Documetary Film Festival Leuven/Belgium
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1970

10 March
Breizh Entropy Congress – Rennes/France
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2021

10 March
Arthouse Film and Video Festival Tampa/Florida
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2063

10 March
Interactive sculpture project
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1726

6 March
She-Story – New Media Gallery Zadar/Croatia
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2080

5 March
Art Video Screening Orebro/Sweden
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1841

5 March
I-Motions – Means of Emotions
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2054

5 March
FILE Symposion 2010 Sao Paulo/Brazil
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2044

5 March
Prix Ars Electronica Linz/Austria
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1976

5 March
FILE Prix Lux Sao Paulo/Brazil
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1982

3 March
Open Space/Singapore/Southeast Asia
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2096

2 March
~imaging – artists portraying themselves in film and video
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1852

1 March
Ms.Use – online platform
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2057

1 March
Pocket Film Festival Paris /F
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1999

1 March
Arteles Artist Residency Finland
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=2018

1 March
Festival Image Contre Nature – Marseille/F
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1785

1 March – extended deadline
2nd International Video art ExhibitionTaiwan Taipeh/TW 2010
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?p=1753

———————————————–
Ongoing calls: external/internal
———————————————–
—> SFC – Shoah Film Collection by VideoChannel & A Virtual Memorial Foundation
—> Selfshadows 2.= – net based project by Javier Bedrina
–>Videos for Bivouac Projects Sumter/USA
–>OUTCASTING – web based screenings
–>Films and video screenings Sioux City (USA)
–>Laisle screenings Rio de Janeiro/Brazil
–>Videos for Helsinki based video gallery – 00130 Gallery
–>Web based works for 00130 Gallery Helsinki/Finland
–>Project: Repetition as a Model for Progression by Marianne Holm Hansen
–>US webjournal Atomic Unicorn seeks netart and video art for coming editions
–>TAGallery

and more deadlines on http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?page_id=4

———————————————–
NetEX – networked experience
http://netex.nmartproject.net
#
calls in the external section–>
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?cat=3
#
calls in the internal section–>
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?cat=1
———————————————–
#
This newsletter is also released on
http://www.nmartproject.net/netex/?cat=9
#
netEX – networked experiences
is a free information service powered by
:||cologne
http://www.nmartproject.net -
the experimental platform for art and new media
from Cologne/Germany
#
info & contact:
info (at) nmartproject.net

Roger Livet, Une regrettable affaire (A regrettable affair), c. 1947, from the album of the same name with 19 photographs, created during the revision of the film Fleurs meurtries (Bruised Flowers) c. 1929 ?Vintage gelatin-silver print, 22,3 x 28,1 cm? Centre Pompidou, Musée National d’art moderne, Paris ?© J.-E. Livet

Fotomuseum Winterthur
27 February – 24 May 2010?

From February 27 to May 24, 2010, the Fotomuseum Winterthur is presenting the exhibition The Subversion of Images – Surrealism, Photography, and Film, an extraordinarily rich survey of Surrealist photography.

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Elléphant
presents
Spectacle De Variétés

THE TANK
Wednesday, March 3rd 7:30 pm
Tickets $5.00 | 354 West 45th Street

Spectacle De Variétés is an eclectic program of women filmmakers and
video artists from the US and Europe that have collectively screened
and exhibited at festivals and museums around the world including:
Whitney Biennale, Sundance Film Festival, New York Video Festival,
World Wide Video Festival, Danish Film Institute, Redcat Theater,
Locarno Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival and the Los Angeles Film
Festival. The program shows a broad spectrum of styles and subject
matter from the experimental, dramatic narrative, fractured
fairytales, social satire, and animation to the conceptual eco-doc.
Spectacle De Variétés is a mini-festival of dark, funny and strange
short films & videos. Running time 60 minutes.

Ilya Chaiken, Black Out | Andrea Staka, Daleko | Erika Yeomans, Boo!

Imelda O’Reilly, Lilly in the Woods | Virginie Yassef & Julien Previeux, L’Arbre

Andrea Polli & Chuck Varga, Cloud Car | Amber Boardman, 3 animated shorts

Christine Giorgio, The Bitter End

The next Synthetic Zero events will be on Wednesday, March 3rd, 6pm – 9pm, and Saturday, March 6th, 7pm – 10pm at at 305 E. 140th St., #1A, Bronx NY 10454. We will have live performances, experimental film, and visual art. The event will be free (donations accepted). The Synthetic Zero events will be part of the Bronx Culture Trolley.

Performances:

Jessica Danser/dansfolk – “The Opposite of War” – dance (only on Saturday)
Elizabeth Glushko – music
Jane Hsu and others – performance

Experimental Film:

Jeremy Newman – “Domestic Rhythms” – Mt. Laurel, NJ
Laura Migliorino – “Sprawl” – Minneapolis, MN
Damali Abrams – “Walking With Linda Montano” – Queens, NY
Lee Young Joo – “She Smiled at Me” – Frankfurt, Germany
Kate Balsley – “Autumn” – Brown Deer, WI
Holly Bynoe – “Boogieman” – Cliffside Park, NJ
Blithe Riley and Mary Coble – “Ascension / Immersion” – New York, NY
Yaron Lapid – “Casual Mechanisms” – Israel

Visual Art:

Yousuke Sasaki – drawings
Erik Sanner – installation
Akinori Towma – paintings
Annalisa Iadicicco – installation
Chris Riggs and Betty T Kao – paintings

BronxArtSpace started this year, in the same space that we used to call Synthetic Zero Art Space. This year, Linda Cunningham, Mitsu Hadeishi, and a group of artists, curators and arts organizations are collaborating to create a series of events, art shows, experimental film, performance, music, readings, and classes.

BronxArtSpace: 305 East 140th Street #1A, Bronx NY 10454.

We’re about 20 minutes from Union Square. 6 Train to 138th St/3rd Ave (1 stop from 125th St express station) – note: there are two exits to the subway station, at 3rd Ave, and at Alexander Ave.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO FRIENDS! Thanks.

Note: These events are made possible in part with public funds from the Bronx Council on the Arts through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Greater New York Arts Development Fund Regrants Program, Bronx Borough President Aldolfo Carrion and the Bronx delegation of the City Council.