Showcase
Optical Sound
Synopsis
The film intercuts close-ups of the mechanical parts of the printers performing the piece, taken from surveillance cameras placed inside the machines, with images of the ASCII files' score being played, which has been photocopied straight onto clear film without the use of a camera. These live images are contrasted with time-lapse footage of large modern office blocks shot from the streets, at dawn and dusk, in Helsinki.
Says Taanila: "Our senses are used to the grey noise of technology that floats among us all the time. [My film] focuses the attention of the spectator on the presence of technology. The film is critical of the 'brilliance' of technology; intentional mis-use of technology becomes art."
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.
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.
Related Links
Key Information
Film
Optical Sound
Artist
Mika Taanila
Project
A Movie
Year Completed
2005
Duration
5'
Shooting format
35mm
Screening format
Single screen, Digi Beta, 35mm, DVD
