Monday June 17, 7pm
VISUAL ERRATA + OTHER BENT FORMS
The Selected Works of Clint Enns
admission $6 — artist in person
approximately 66 minutes
Still from Prepare to Qualify (2008) © Image courtesy of the artist
Microscope Gallery is very pleased to welcome visiting Canadian filmmaker Clint Enns for his first U.S. solo screening. Enns’ video works often feature glitch and circuit-bending experiments, remakes of classic avant-garde films, and bizarre appropriations. His 2012 video remake of James Benning’s film “Ten Skies”, featuring only the cloud sections, was shown as part of Microscope’s multi-program event “Now What” this January.
CLINT ENNS is a video artist and filmmaker from Toronto, Ontario, whose work primarily deals with moving images created with broken and/or outdated technologies. His work has shown both nationally and internationally at festivals, alternative spaces and microcinemas including Onion City, Images Festival, He has recently received a Master’s degree in Cinema and Media from York University. His writings and interviews have appeared in Millennium Film Journal, Incite! Journal of Experimental Media and Spectacular Optical. (http://clintenns.tumblr.com/)
Program:
On Light, or the Ingression of Forms
video, 2007, 2:10 min
“… all that sense can comprehend, is Light: because it partakes of that which it is. To comprehend dark, or a shape, it must withdraw from its own nature – it must withdraw or turn against its own electrical illuminating nature in order to comprehend a shape.” – Brakhage paraphrasing from Robert Grosseteste’s work, On Light, or the Ingression of Forms.
light is the first bodily form video
video, 2007, 3:18 min
Light is the first bodily form pays homage to the philosopher of light, Robert Grosseteste. The title is intended to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek since this video was made entirely in the dark, using only a circuit bent webcam. No additional computer effects were added to the video. The music is the Rain Serenade by natural snow buildings.
The Death of Natural Language
video, 2007, 2:54 min
An ASCII animation of a plane crashing. The abstracted image mediated by ascii text parallels modern human communication; visual literacy replaces written literacy. The music is miko by the beans.
winnipeg stories: sacrificial memories
Super 8mm/video, 2008, 4:38 min
An experimental film made from discarded film footage found in thrift shops and flea markets in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Music is eu un miroir, obscurement by natural snow buildings.
The Aesthetics of Failure
video, 2008, 2:40 min
In the dead of winter, I went to a dance party in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This video simultaneously became about my inability to interact with people as well as my camera’s inability to properly interpret what was going on around me. Music is Trench by natural snow buildings.
Prepare to Qualify
video, 2008, 3:08 min
A circuit bent Atari struggles to qualify as “good” or “valid” art.
putting yourself out there
video, 2009, 2:05 min
A voyeuristic intervention into the lives of chat addicted users. This video is a commentary on the parasocial relationships often formed through internet communication. Music by Nick Krgovich.
windshield baby gameboy movie
video, 2009, 1:47 min
Video of a car crash is processes it through a Nintendo Gameboy camera. Short random bursts of classic video game blips replace the horrific sound of screaming metal and glass shattering.
Botched Eyeball Operation (with Denys Gareau)
video, 2007, 1:00 min
Botched Eyeball Operation casts a voyeuristic gaze at a common operation gone awry. This is the video documentation of someone losing their sight. Music provided by Sea Wizard.
This video was deemed unviewable and exploitative by the Winnipeg Short Film Massacre.
whiplash
video, 2009, 0:28 min
A video for Naked City’s Whiplash inspired by Henry Hills.
Gleem
video, 2010, 2:00 min
A re-make of a lost James Benning film titled Gleem, a sex negative film about maintaining those pearly whites.
”I wasn’t entirely convinced I was straight until I saw this film.” – Guy Maddin
Back + Forth
Super 8 transfer to video, 2009, 3:20 min.
Shot entirely in one take. This film documents the happenings on one of the strangest streets in Winnipeg.
Back + Forth
Super 8mm, 2009, 3:2 min
*Intermission*
Self Improvement
video, 2010, 2:54 min
A self help video that rests somewhere between the realms of code hacking, archaic design and spiritual awakening.
Spider-Man Vs Macrovision
video, 2010, 2:49 min
A video examining digital copy protection. Macrovision’s Ripguard is a technology designed to prevent or reduce digital DVD copying. By ignoring it, and copyright infringement in general, the artist is able to produce new and innovative work.
“Digital disintegration and corrupted systems recombine into a strange new beauty.” – Toby Tatum
The Women of Dr. Phil (with Les Klassen)
video, 2010, 1:28 min
These are the women that the creators of the Dr. Phil show feel the intended demographic of suburban housewives will relate to. This is truly a depressing thought.
”Apparently, the Stepford Wives are big Dr. Phil fans. Why so little emotion, ladies?” – Mike Everleth, Underground Film Journal
Connecting With Nature
video, 2011, 1:28 min
An infomercial and an audio guide to spiritual enlightenment spawn an instructional video epitomizing New Age commodification.
Softly Through the Night
video, 2011, 0:47 min
Softly Through the Night features Enns with his arms tied behind his naked torso, dragging himself over 5kg of marshmallows.
747
video, 2011, 0:33 min
Chris Burden’s 747 re-performed in Grand Theft Auto IV.
I For NDN (with Darryl Nepinak)
video, 2011, 1:34 min
Retro children’s TV takes a comical jab when one letter of the alphabet gets a new association.
(̦̥͔̝̜e̺͙̟̠̜̰ͅb̠͚͙͓͎b͇̲s̞͍̤͔ͅ ̺a̬̞ͅn̝̦ͅd̳̩͙̯ ͕͔̙f͚̹͉͚̬ͅl̖o̼w̦s͎͓͇)̻
video, 2011, 2:51 min
the endless cosmic flow. a meditative video exploring a transition from truth to loving kindness.
Ten ̶S̶k̶i̶e̶s̶
video, 2012, 2:36 min
A condensed version of James Benning’s Ten Skies (2006) with the skies removed. Nothing but the clouds remain.
“Ten Skies is an achievement of a different order, destined for eternal, well-deserved obscurity!” – Michael Sicinski, Cinemascope
Splice Lines
video, 2012, 0:47 min
Splices from Kurt Kren’s 6-64 Mama und Papa.
The Everden
video, 2013, 16:33 min
Conflicted emotions about the city. Fears and anxieties surrounding movement and travel. Fragile dreams become nightmarish realities.
Still from light is the first bodily form video (2007) © Image courtesy of the artist
