Upcoming Event: Michael Robinson Screening

ELATED ANGUISH:
Films & Videos by Michael Robinson

Saturday, 20 Oct. 2007, 8pm
Spark Contemporary Art Space
1005 E. Fayette St. @ S. Crouse Ave.
Syracuse, New York
$5

Michael Robinson In Person!

Please join Spark Art Space and Syracuse Experimental (Film & Media Workshop) in welcoming Chicago-based filmmaker (and Ithaca College alum) Michael Robinson for a screening of recent work on film and video.

Amy Beste of Chicago’s Conversations at the Edge sees Robinson’s work as “a deft mix of stunning beauty and nervy wit. He combines lush, often optically printed imagery with the electric fuzz of video-games, old movie footage, and dusty magazine layouts in pop-song scored cine-ballads that are at once cynical and sincere.”

Robinson writes, “For me, these films all make attempts at turning loss, heartache, failure, etc into something beautiful and exciting.”

Exploring the poetics of loss and the dangers of mediated experience, these award-winning works, which have screened at festivals around the world, cultivate resonances between seemingly disparate elements, distilling new integrities from otherwise commodified materials. "The sitcom-perfect world of Full House devours itself in the demonic Light is Waiting; National Geographic centerfolds unfurl into oblivion in You Don't Bring Me Flowers; and a radio tunes in karaoke transmissions from beyond in the elegiac And We All Shine On." (Amy Beste)

More at www.poisonberries.net
See also: http://www.magiclanterncinema.com/calendar-ea07.htm

Descriptions:

YOU DON’T BRING ME FLOWERS
2005, 8 minutes, 16mm color film with optical sound

Viewed at its seams, a collection of National Geographic landscapes from the 1960’s and 70’s conjures an obsolete romanticism currently peddled to propagate entitlement and individualism from sea to shining sea; the slideshow deforms into a bright white distress signal.

THE GENERAL RETURNS FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER
2006, 11 minutes, digital video with stereo sound

Learning to love again, with fear at its side, the film draws balance between the romantic and the horrid, shaping a concurrently skeptical and indulgent experience of the beautiful. A Frank O’Hara monologue (from a play of the same title) attempts to undercut the sincerity of the landscape, but there are stronger forces surfacing.

TIDAL
2001, 6.5 minutes, 16mm color film with optical sound

A love story told through the newly-haunted home my parents shared for twenty five years. Second in a series of three films made within the year of my father’s death.

AND WE ALL SHINE ON
2006, 7 minutes, 16mm color film with optical sound
An ill wind is transmitting through the lonely night, spreading deception and myth along its murky path. Conjuring a vision of a post-apocalyptic paradise, this unworldly broadcast reveals its hidden demons via layered landscapes and karaoke, singing the dangers of the mediated spirit.

LIGHT IS WAITING
2007, 11 minutes, digital video with stereo sound

A very special episode of television’s Full House devours itself from the inside out, excavating a hypnotic nightmare of a culture lost at sea. Tropes of video art and family entertainment face off in a luminous orgy from which neither will survive.

CHIQUITITA AND THE SOFT ESCAPE
2003, 10 minutes, 16mm color film with optical sound

What began as an effort at proving nostalgia and sentimentalism to be purely mechanical processes became an argument for the opposite through its assembly. Twin attempts at structuring images of home and loved-ones break down in the face of the romantic.

VICTORY OVER THE SUN
2007, 12.5 minutes, digital video with stereo sound

Dormant sites of past World’s Fairs breed an eruptive struggle between spirit and matter, ego and industry, futurism and failure. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory; nothing lasts forever, even cold November rain.

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Elated Anguish: Films & Videos by Michael Robinson is co-presented by Spark Contemporary Art Space and Syracuse Experimental (Film & Media Workshop). This screening marks the continuation of a new collaborative relationship between Spark Art Space, Syracuse Experimental, and Roji Music / Roji Tea Lounge. Signaling an exciting new cultural initiative, these organizations are working together to bring a greater diversity of live music, film and video to the city of Syracuse, with the goal of creating a more vibrant, diverse and supportive community. Watch for further updates and events!

www.sparkartspace.com
syrfilmworks.blogspot.com
www.rojimusic.com

Previous Event: Roger Beebe Screening

Roger Beebe: New Maps of the New World
Friday, October 12th, 8pm
@ Spark Art Space, 1005 E. Fayette St. at S. Crouse Ave.
5 dollars, filmmaker in attendance

Details on the program are here:
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/rogerbb/films/newmapstour/NEWMAPSrelease.htm

And the full dates are here:
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/rogerbb/films/newmapstour/tourdates.html

Read an interview with Roger Beebe here:
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20070830/NEWS/708300310/-1/XML


Presented with the support of Syracuse Experimental (Film & Media Workshop).

Please show your support for Astria Suparak and The Warehouse Gallery

Hi,

I'm writing to you because you have had some contact with Astria
Suparak, or perhaps know of the work she has done over the last year
as Director of the Warehouse Gallery in Syracuse, NY. This week, we
have learned that Astria is being fired from her position. The
Syracuse arts community is stunned by this: faculty at Syracuse
University, local arts organizations, and artists in the area have
been thrilled by the great programs Astria has organized in her short
tenure at the Gallery, and feel she has contributed much to the city.
I have found Astria to be very professional in all her undertakings.

She has made strong connections in this community, and fostered great
dialogue. The only reasons we have been given for this decision, made
by Jeffrey Hoone, is that he is restructuring the Gallery to meet his
high standards. We do not know what these standards are, and feel
that The Warehouse Gallery has been very successful in bringing
important contemporary art to central New York.

If you feel comfortable in doing so, I ask you to write a letter to
the people listed below. As a member of a larger art community,
showing support for Astria and her fine work will help us to improve
arts programming in Syracuse, as well as allow Astria to continue to
contribute her talents to the art world at large. Below is an email
that is being circulated to as many people as possible. Please feel
free to send it to anyone you feel should know about this, or would
be willing to help.

I appreciate your
consideration, and any help you can give us.

Joanna Spitzner


-----------------
Dear All,

This past last week, I have learned that an exhibition of the social
activist artists The Yes Men, scheduled to open in November at The
Warehouse Gallery in downtown Syracuse, has been canceled by upper
management. When I inquired about the reasons for this decision, I
learned that CMAC (Coalition of Museums and Art Centers at Syracuse
University) is planning personnel changes at The Warehouse Gallery,
and canceled this show because of the anticipated lack of continuity
in the staff.

What is most alarming about this is that it appears that Astria
Suparak, the current Director of the Gallery, is being forced out. If
you feel that the work that Astria has done is valuable, please take
the time now to let others know.

I am writing to urge you to show your support now for Astria and the

programs she has organized at The Warehouse Gallery (including Come
On: Desire Under The Female Gaze, Faux Naturel, Embracing Winter, and
Networked Nature, along with various screenings and events around
town). You can do so in a number of ways:


1) write a letter to the following people:

Jeffrey Hoone, Executive Director, CMAC,  jjhoone@syr.edu

Nancy Cantor, Chancellor, ncantor@syr.edu

Eric Spina, Vice Chancellor/Provost, efspina@syr.edu

Carole Brzozowski, Dean of CVPA, Brzoz@syr.edu


Please write of any personal experience you have had, either in
working with Astria, attending exhibitions and events at The
Warehouse Gallery, and/or your thoughts on its programming thus far.

Some points you could make ( I offer these only as a things to think
about):

- The Warehouse Gallery is needed space for contemporary art. The
exhibitions it has offered have been important. This is due in a
large part because of the work of its current staff.

- The programming at the Warehouse Gallery has the support of people
on campus, and in the local as well as national/international arts
community. Astria has made strong connections with different
departments on campus, with local arts groups, and with national/
international artists.

- Astria Suparak is a young curator worth supporting. She has shown
her abilities to put together intelligent exhibitions of artistic and
social importance. See http://www.thewarehousegallery.org for details.

- The Warehouse Gallery has been a significant contributor to the
"cultural capital" of Syracuse, something that both the city and
University claim as being valued.

- It is important that CMAC, and its Executive Director Jeffrey
Hoone, as a powerful cultural entity, be responsive to those who care
about the arts and be transparent about decisions.


2) Write a letter to the Editor to the following papers (include your
address and daytime phone number):

--The Post-Standard letters@syracuse.com. In the
"subject box,"
please type "Post-Standard letter."
The Readers' Page, Box 4915, Syracuse 13221.
Fax : 470-3081.

--The New Times: editorial@syracusenewtimes.com
Syracuse New Times Letters, 1415 W. Genesee St., Syracuse 13204
fax: 422-1721

--The Daily Orange: letters@dailyorange.com
The Daily Orange Corp.
744 Ostrom Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 443-2314

3) Attend the opening reception this Thursday at the Warehouse
Gallery, from 5-8 pm, to show your support. Refreshments provided.

4) Pass this email on to anyone you think would be interested in
issues concerning the growth and appreciation of dynamic,

contemporary art in Upstate New York.


Thank you.

Joanna Spitzner
Assistant Professor
Department of Foundation
School of Art and Design
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Syracuse University

jspitzne@syr.edu

The Syracuse Experimental Garage Sale Spectacular

Sunday, September 23rd, 9am-6pm
@ Westcott Street Cultural Fair
123 Dell Street (off Westcott, 2 blocks south of E. Genesee)

Media of all kinds!!
Movies! Threads! Pedals! CDs! LPs! Books! More!
Refreshments by Funk'n Waffles


You can contribute to the growth and development of Syracuse Experimental (Film & Media Workshop) by attending and or contributting to the sale.

If you would like to donate equipment, items, materials, etc, please email syracusefilmworkshop@yahoo.com
Or, simply drop them off in person on Sunday.

We hope to see you there!


More information about the Westcott Street Cultural Fair, including maps and more:
http://www.westcottfair.org/

Become a Member

Syracuse Experimental (Film & Media Workshop) is a collectively run, grassroots organization that seeks to develop a local filmmaking community that is both artistically and culturally diverse. Our goals are to provide free or low-cost access to screening and production space, video and film equipment, workshops, and exhibition of independent and experimental film, video, audio, and installation, and to aid in the creative development of the membership.


We offer a number of benefits, including:

- DISCOUNTS to special Syracuse Experimental screenings and workshops
- 10% DISCOUNT at Roji Tea Lounge, Funk’n Waffles, and other local businesses and partner organizations (check our website for updates)
- INVITATIONS to member-only events
- ACCESS to the Syracuse Experimental microcinema and production space (currently under construction
- ACCESS to Syracuse Experimental equipment and know-how
- ACCESS to the Syracuse Experimental media collection, library, and archives
- SUBSCRIPTION to INCITE! Journal of Experimental Media & Radical Aesthetics


Membership Categories:

YOUTH (18 & under): $10
STUDENT/UNDEREMPLOYED: $25
INDIVIDUAL: $35
FAMILY: $50
SPONSOR: $100
ORGANIZATION: $150
PATRON: $200
BENEFACTOR: $400

Membership forms are available by emailing syracusefilmworkshop@yahoo.com

Previous Event: Upstate NY Film & Video Festival

UPSTATE NEW YORK FILM
& VIDEO FESTIVAL
Saturday, 8 Sept. 2007, 7-9pm
Shemin Auditorium, 102 Shaffer Art Building
Syracuse University, Syracuse NY
Free Admission!

FESTIVAL AFTER PARTY
10pm @ Funk’n Waffles
727 S. Crouse Ave.
(in Campus Plaza, behind Marshall St.)
$5, or $3 with festival ticket

Support your local film community by attending the first-ever Upstate New York Film & Video Festival! Representing a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction genres, this event demonstrates the diversity of media and approaches being applied in the Upstate and Central New York area. Dedicated to facilitating collaboration and connection amongst media artists, filmmakers and audiences, the festival provides a unique opportunity for screening and discussion, with the goal of building a stronger, more active film and video community.

Featuring work by Brent Barbano, Alexandra Fuller, Dan Ramin, Mike Smith, Stephen Stauss & Zakery Weiss, Zosha Stuckey, Chris Toppino, and Rehema Imani Trimiew. Several filmmakers will be in attendance. Following the screening, viewers will vote for the People’s Choice Award. The winning selection will automatically be screened at the 2008 Syracuse International Film Festival!

Shemin Auditorium is located in Syracuse University’s Shaffer Art Building (SE corner on University quadrangle adjacent to SUArt Galleries, off College Place). This event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the VIP lot (Q4) accessible from College Place. For a campus map, click here

An all ages Festival After Party will be held at Funk’n Waffles, Syracuse's newest music venue! Local hip-hop phenomenon, The Goonies will be joined by the one-and-only Three1Live for a night of smooth and funky sounds.

The Upstate New York Film & Video Festival is presented by Syracuse Experimental Film & Media Workshop, with the support of Syracuse University, Syracuse International Film Festival, Funk’n Waffles and Young Guns Studio.

For more information contact Jess at Jrlance@syr.edu

Previous Event: Daughters of Joy!

Experimental video and audio about sex
& American launch of Lickety Split smut zine

Sunday 26 Aug. 2007, 8-9:30pm, $5
@ Spark Art Space, 1005 E. Fayette St. at S. Crouse Ave.
Syracuse, New York
For mature audiences

Curated and introduced by Amber Goodwyn, with work by Lamathilde, Kathleen K-R, Peter Miller, Jackie Gallant & Dayna MacLeod, Pomgrenade, Nicole Koschmann, Scott Stark, Anita Schoepp, Shana MacDonald, and more.

Presented by Lickety Split, organized with the support of Syracuse Experimental (Film & Media Workshop) and The Warehouse Gallery, in combination with the exhibition, COME ON: Desire Under The Female Gaze.

For more information, download the press release here.

petition for picture new york!

If you are a independent filmmaker or enjoy independent video and media please take a moment to read the following and sign the petition:

via Split Screen

We need everyone who works in any kind of independent or personal or experimental film or video or installation work to click on this site - and sign this ePetition, please:

http://www.pictureny.org/petition/index.php

I'm with this ad hoc group of us, Picture New York - pictureny.org - who just formed to fight these proposed regulations from our Mayor's Office of Film Theater and Broadcasting --- these proposed rules would require any two people doing handheld work for more than a half hour and any five people with a tripod for even ten minutes - (including set-up & breakdown) - to get a permit from the city -- which can take up to a month - AND to get a million dollars worth of insurance.

So - I don't have to explain to your readers the chilling effect this is going to have on all kinds of films and videos -- They just didn't know what they were doing when they wrote these regulations, and these two laws are merely the most heinous.

The only ammunition we have is public pressure - we got a great write-up in The NY Times on Saturday, we've got 6000 signatures, lots of very talented people on it - major stills fotogs, patti smith, barbara kopple - and we're meeting with the Mayo's Office and trying to get them to delay the August 3 deadline and throw these regs out

I know everyone gets asked to sign things online - but this is one case where every single signature really matters - we're going to print them out at the end of the week and personally hadn them over to the mayor's office and - also - hopefully - email the MOFTB, or even write a real letter, and email everyone they know, especially any kind of official group.

Although these proposed regulations are for New York City, if they were to succeed in limiting what independent video and filmmakers have to say, you could be sure that regulations like this one will pop up all over.

For an insightful take on this matter check out this video from video artist Julie Talen.

thanks
-jason
(http://www.thisbluehippo.com/)

About Us

Welcome to the Syracuse Experimental Film and Media Workshop blog page. Syracuse Experimental is a cooperative of artists and educators working to promote and encourage the creation (through experimentation) of film and media as an art form. The workshop was founded October 2006.

Visit regularly for updates on screenings and events. For more information please contact SyracuseFilmWorkshop@yahoo.com

Submit to INCITE!

Issue no.1: MANIFEST

INCITE! seeks submissions for its inaugural issue. Featuring original hand-crafted packaging and a combo print/DVD format, we welcome both time-based media (on miniDV or as Quicktime files) and writing on experimental film | video art | installation | new media | audio art | music | hybrid forms, street art and anything else that moves.

For Issue No.1: MANIFEST, we're particularly interested in manifestos, artist/aesthetic statements, project notes, critical and personal articles on newly-formed or historical art collectives and cooperatives (local, regional, international, otherworldly), hastily drawn plans, reviews, etc. The coming together of energy and ideas, the first spark of inspiration, initial steps: anything that sights a beginning at its beginning.

Deadline: September 1st, 2007.

---------- -- -------- - -- ---
Send submissions to:
INCITE! Journal of Experimental Media & Radical Aesthetics
230 W. Willow St. #410
Syracuse, NY 13202

Or, email to:
Brett Kashmere, syracusefilmworkshop@yahoo.com

INCITE! is a publication of Syracuse Experimental / Film & Media Workshop.

Ongoing Programs

THE A/V CLUB - This fall, Syracuse Experimental introduces The A/V Club, a monthly film, video and audio salon. This series presents an opportunity for artists to view important historical and contemporary time-based media, and to present and discuss their recent projects in an informal environment. The salons will take place at Roji Tea Lounge in downtown Syracuse. Schedule coming soon.



THURSDAY SCREENERS - Beginning in January 2008, Syracuse Experimental will be programming 'Thursday Screeners', a weekly series at Syracuse University dedicated to rare, foreign, independent and experimental films.

Past Events

THE ONE TAKE SUPER 8 EVENT - Held March 24th, 2007, the One Take Super 8 Event saw over 20 local filmmakers load their cameras to take part in this unique screening. The One Take Super 8 Event is distinct in that none of the films were viewed prior to their premiere. Each filmmaker was limited to only one 3-minute cartridge of Super 8, and had to shoot their entire film without the opportunity to rewind for a 'second take'. Over 100 people packed into Funk n' Waffles to first witness the unseen films, which later traveled to Portland, Maine for and encore screening.


THE OPEN SCREEN - Presented in conjunction with a region-wide arts collaboration, which included the 40 Below Summit, the opening of Lipe Art Park and the exhibition ReZist! at The Sugar Cube artspace, The Open Screen was an informal forum for the presentation and discussion of locally produced film and video. Nearly a dozen media artists participated in the screening, held June 1st, 2007.