MAKING LIGHT OF IT

 

 

“…the experience of apprehending, the adventure of seeing, the ‘wondering’ vision.”
– Introduction to the Brakhage Scrapbook

     Some time [years] ago I fortuitously stumbled upon the Criterion Collection of Stan Brakhage at the local library, a time of particular uncertainty in my late adolescence, and despite the visual inferiority of the television screen was immediately enamored (bewildered may be more accurate, but the reaction was potent nonetheless).  I have since developed a great passion for avant-garde and experimental film.  Unfortunately the school I am currently attending does not offer any classroom opportunities in the field, and screenings are nonexistent, so I have had to rely heavily on my own two eyes and various works of scholarship to guide me.
     I am fervently determined to be involved in supporting this community one way or another , and currently that is manifesting itself as a desire (perhaps delusion) to eventually embark on my own critical examinations of experimental and avant-garde film (spurred on by Sitney's repeated mention of an increasing void in this sector amongst the youth).  Until I am able to complete my general education and it is financially feasible to pursue a more specified area of study I am limited in my developmental possibilities, but I figure I have made considerable strides studying on my own, and to continue in that direction I should just start writing.  The most practical option seems to be a blog, and despite the shallow nature often associated with such devices, I think it can be of some use, if only for myself.  Having mainly stayed afloat on my own it will be likely that many times my thoughts veer (wildly) off-track or are downright misguided (I claim no authority whatsoever), so if anyone wiser than I stumbles upon this blog and would like correct my course I would very much appreciate it.  (Occasionally, and partly for the sake of variety, I will PIVOT into other areas that are of great value and interest to me, mainly the mysteries and splendors of light itself, sequence or long-form poems, which have provided much inspiration for many of the greatest film artists and thus will be a very suitable topic to explore, and blues or free-jazz music).  
     As it relates specifically to works made on celluloid, from the outset I want to make it clear that I have damn near literally pursued almost every method available to me to get a chance to these works ON FILM.  I have absolute reverence for the medium and its possibilities, but as a student it is a constant struggle to have access to the finances needed to rent from [invaluable] institutions like Canyon Cinema or the Co-op (though I do make a concerted effort, and do save up enough to make personal rentals as frequently as I'm able to).  I have filed for grants, put on presentations to local sponsors and have pleaded with the local film society, but so far I have been largely met with the same polite disregard each time.  As such I find myself occasionally having to pursue other inferior forms for opportunities to see the work of artists I so admire, and as such the majority of the examinations I attempt here will be largely based on those formats (I fully recognize that in such situations I have not truly seen the film).
     I would also like to aid my examinations with visual cues, but unfortunately certain artists can be rather difficult to get a hold of.  It is my hope that these artists or those affiliated with the artists will understand that my use of the visual cues are being done so with the utmost respect for the material, and are not being employed exploitatively.  In any case if any such artists are offended by my use of their material I post here, please let me know AND I WILL REMOVE IT IMMEDIATELY.
     If any artists come across this blog and feel generous enough to give me the opportunity to examine their films I would be IMMENSELY grateful, or if any institutions have access to sixteen millimeter films and would potentially be willing to work out some sort of loan agreement I would do whatever work was necessary.  I would also like to use this blog as a way to announce events or releases, so please contact me if you would like me to do so.

(credit for the title goes fully to James Broughton, whose work of the same name occupies a space that whatever I  do will never be worthy of)