FST 553-800 Experimental - Meg Lansaw

I am grateful to Shannon for assigning me these two incredibly artists who have inspired me ever since I watch a minute of each of their films. The complexity of their work and devotion to ensuring a stellar product is something I have great respect for. I had a great mentor who would always say, "you can't rush art". I love that Colburn sometimes spends years on her projects and am in awe of her work in progress of the 52 minute stop motion animation, The Garden. After finding out Colburn was Gallagher's mentor, the commonalities fell into place. Gallagher did not create works mimicking those of Colburn, but used a lot of the same techniques. Since Colburn is 15 years older, Gallagher had the privilege of working with another strong female who had trailblazed this path. Kelly was blessed to have a mentor who had already figured out most of what works and what doesn't, so she had an advantage in stepping into this genre without having to do a plethora of tests. ...

I had not heard of either of these artists befor this presentation, but suppose that is the purpose! Nam June Paik is extremely interesting and unique to his art because it's base is complicated technology I could never understand! The K-95 Robot Synthesizer was unreal and appeared very expensive, although it was mentioned it was not at the time. My favorite of his shown works was the Black Box museum installations. The vast number of television screens creating different images flowing throughout as time passed is not just art, it's an experience... and one I'd like to have!!

Barbara Hammer seems to have had an interesting life! From an almost Shirley Temple to obtaining 3 college degrees in the 60's-70's, and unknowingly making the first lesbian film, she seems to break the mold for even women today! Autojektor is for hire and I'm all for it! I found it fascinating there is little record of this artist's life and that Megan personally had to reach out for information. The most fascinating concept was burying film in rotting meat as an experiment!! I sincerely enjoyed the short experimental film perfectly timed with the hardcore music that accompanied it!

Logline: 46 year old, Joel Bentley, is the oldest male living with the rare disease, Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome. This intimate portrait documents a day in the life of this extraordinary human who just so happens to be in a wheelchair. Short Description: Documentary short film, Man with Mittens is an intimate look into the daily life of the oldest man living with Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome. The average life expectancy of those living with this disease is mid-20's; Joel is 46. LNS is extremely rare and stems from a mutation of the X gene on the mother's side. Although documented occurring only in males, there have been 6 cases of females. Lesch-Nyhan is unique in its cruel attributes of uncontrollable self-mutilation, such as head banging and finger biting (sometimes off). Mittens are worn to prevent self-harm and restraints are bound to their wheelchair and bed frame. This documentary is not your talking heads informational film about the disease, rather the man living with the dise...