FLAMIN

FLAMIN
Film London Artists’
Moving Image Network

Film London Directory

Showcase

Man and Mask

Synopsis

This short film reflects on the present state of cinema as celluloid. Resisting the advances of digitised media, Man and Mask celebrates, in a playful way, the medium of film itself: its material magic. This new film continues Daria Martin's investigations into the aspirations and limitations of modern ideals.

By drawing a parallel between celluloid film and masks made with 'primitive' means, the film draws attention to two mediums on the edge of becoming outmoded, yet with undeniable and enduring appeal. Man and Mask asks questions, in an entertaining way, about film's qualities: its physicality, its trickery, its paradoxical opacity and transparency.

The work oscillates between artifice and acting, using masks in a literal sense – 'masking' and unmasking, layering and stripping away.

Commissioned by South West Screen and Film London, the A Movie participating artists are: Daria Martin (USA), Jimmy Robert (France/Holland), Mark Leckey (UK), Mika Taanila (Finland), Imogen Stidworthy (UK) and Yang Fudong (China).

The films were produced by LUX and Spacex.

Selected Screenings

  • Premiere Screening Frieze Art Fair, 21-24 October 2006

Project Background

A Movie is a collaboration set up to challenge audiences' expectations of the cinema experience. Six new short films were commissioned from some of the most exciting visual artists working with the moving image. The works were premiered at Frieze Art Fair 2005 and subsequently toured cinemas throughout the UK in 2006, taking the films out of the gallery and into cinemas across the country. Different A Movie films were screened before selected features from the main programme.

Commissioned by South West Screen and Film London, the A Movie participating artists are:Daria Martin(USA), Jimmy Robert (France/Holland), Mark Leckey (UK), Mika Taanila (Finland), Imogen Stidworthy (UK) and Yang Fudong (China). The films were produced by LUX and Spacex.

 

Key Information

Film

Man and Mask

Artist

Daria Martin

Project

A Movie

Year Completed

2005

Duration

5'

Shooting format

35mm

Screening format

Single screen, Digi Beta, 35mm, DVD

Distribution

LUX