The Stitches Speak

I wrote a series here on my blog about the ten short films my sister and I viewed at this year's Black Maria Film Festival.  Many more films where chosen to be featured in the festival during the various showings around the world, and they were described in the program.  One that stuck out to me as a film I would like to see was The Stitches Speak, by Nina Sabnani.

(From the website linked to above):
"Tanko Bole Chhe (The Stitches Speak) is an animated documentary that traces the journey of four Kutch artisans towards finding themselves and forming the Kala Raksha Trust (a trust formed to preserve traditional art and to generate income for the rural artisans of Sumrasar Sheikh, a village 25 km north of Bhuj). The most amazing part of the film is that it uses the art of appliqué and embroideries as means of expression to narrate the story. Can you imagine that… now that is being creative to the stitch!"


I've written about the infinitesimal, about how the tiny speaks grandeur to me.  I love how valuable the stitches become, especially over time.  I love how each stitch tells a story, carries a culture.

I want to learn how to tell my stories.  I want to learn how to write my story into the stitches of my words, the stitches of my life, the stitches of my art.  I'm getting there.  Perhaps this is why I am so enamored with the stitches and the infinitesimal; perhaps this is why they speak to me. 

In the early fall, I'm taking a Thread Painting Workshop with artist Missy Stevens.  Thanks to Peters Valley I received a scholarship to help cover half of the cost of this. 

"The workshop will introduce participants to the technique of punchneedle embroidery using needles which hold one or two strands of sewing thread and create a delicate, dense and rich loop pile surface. Missy encourages a painterly approach that allows a conversation between the maker and the thread painting as it evolves. You will be instructed in the basics of using a small punchneedle: threading the needle, correct use of the hoop, stitching and materials and will be guided through visualization exercises."

I will go there expectantly.  I will go there listening with open ears and open mind.  I will hear the conversation between the maker and the thread painting.  I will receive messages about my life, and about how the holes that have been poked through have allowed for light, illuminating darkness like the stars at night.

Black Maria Film Festival 10 - Live Outside the Box

My series about the films my sister and I saw at the Black Maria Film Festival wraps up with this post about the last short film shown in the sequence we had the opportunity to view.

This piece was an animated selection - Live Outside the Box, by Shu-Hsuan Lin.  I don't think there could have been an any more perfect film to wrap up the curation of features on the evening we attended.  After viewing serious selections such as the thought-provoking Hip Priest, the dizzying juxtapositions reflecting Occupy Wall Street shown in We're Part of the City, and No Wine Left Behind, which addresses the survival struggles of war veterans, the mood loosened up with the laughter caused by Another Dress, Another Button.  The two films by Tiffany Shlain that were shown stirred up awareness about technology in today's society - Yelp! urged us to "unplug!" while Declaration of Interdependence clearly depicted the connections that exist in our world beyond all the boundaries of language, religion, culture, age, and location. 

This series of films challenged us to dig deep, to think about a wide variety of topics and how they all fit together.  After all just the fact that these films were created, submitted, and chosen for this festival at this particular point in time means something.  It reflects the importance of issues being considered and experienced in our world, right now.  It was a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds, like Anima Mundi, which opened the evening's selections.

It was a mark of genius for the Black Maria Film Festival's founder and director, John Columbus, to choose Live Outside the Box as the final piece in the sequence we were shown.  After viewing films that could possibly leave us divided as to where our opinions fall, Live Outside the Box is a piece we could all relate to.  Who doesn't need to play more?  Who isn't frustrated when work takes up too much time in life?  This short animation contains such a sense of humor along with its thoughtfulness and impressive composition.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT:

"The inspiration of my story is actually from my personal experience.Before being an artist, I was working in a semiconductor company and nearly lost everything meaningful to me. It is very common for an engineer to work at least twelve hours a day and do overtime during the weekend. Basically my life at that time followed an invariable schedule: seven days a week I was required to stay in the lab maintaining machines from 8 AM to 9 or 10 PM. After work, since it was late, the only place I could go was home. If I was lucky enough to take the weekend off, I usually slept or absent-mindedly watched TV all day long since I no longer had any energy to participate outdoor activities.Finally I sensed that the only spaces left in my world were just my home and the company. I lost almost all my social contact and my private life. This awareness made me rethink the meaning of existence and what I really want for my life. It was also the motivation to drive me to pursuit my dream, that is, to become an artist.Since right now I have a chance to make a short animated film, I would like to share this experience with others. I hope my animation can remind people of their passion for life and help them to find their true selves. Life is priceless; we should never lose our eager devotion to it."

After rolling around the many thoughts that sparked in my head because of these films, an idea came to mind.  What if we could sent art that contained messages of the importance of enjoying life to Wall Street businesses?  People wanted to make a statement through the occupation.  I am sure it raised awareness, but I wonder if it reached the right people?  It would be great if the business employees could view this film.  In it's short few minutes, such a strong message is contained. 

We want change in our world, and to watch films and have time for thoughtful consideration is important.  We have to change individually before we can expect change in our world.  The more we change, the more we can influence change.  Such important messages flowed through the curation of films we were shown at the Black Maria Film Festival, and I appreciated the time and effort that went into creating this experience for us.  What I learned will remain with me and continue to grow as I contemplate and return to the films shown as I revisit the posts in this series.

I am always interested in further discussion, and have appreciated email conversations with my friend who desired to interact with me about one of the films shown.  I miss this kind of thing.  If you are interested in discussing, please feel free to leave a comment at any time:  weeks, months, even years later! 

I plan to continue to view and write about short films here, and already have some waiting in the queue based on other films shown at the Black Maria Film Festival, which I did not yet see but were also chosen to be included in the program.

Many thanks to my sister for joining me that evening, and I look forward to more film festival adventures in the future!

Black Maria Film Festival 9 - Declaration of Interdependence

This is number 9 out of 10 for the Black Maria Film Festival Series, which began with Anima Mundi.  The ninth film shown in the sequence of shorts that my sister and I saw was Declaration of Interdependence, created by Tiffany Shlain, the same filmmaker who did Yelp. 

This film was created in such an interesting way.  Tiffany Shlain called for entries from people worldwide through a YouTube request.  Participants would videotape themselves reading this Declaration of Interdependence that she created based on the Declaration of Independence.  Shlain and her partners would then edit the film into a short piece to be shared on YouTube, including snippets from the entries received.



What emerged from this request is quite interesting indeed, and the way it is all pieced together as a final result, you just have to see:



I believe this film makes a powerful statement about how we all matter, we all have a part in this world, we are all interconnected, and what we do affects each other.  I believe in independence as much as it means that we should not be ruled by exterior forces who squelch freedom by telling people what to do, what to believe, how to worship and how to live.  I think that interdependence brings independence to another level in which the truth that we answer for ourselves is realized but the fact that what we do affects others is clear.  If we encompassed that truth in our beliefs, would we then be mindful of others and exist more peaceably?  Because the way I act, then, towards others in the world will affect me.  What I do or do not do will come back to me, so if I realize this and am truly mindful of it, perhaps I will experience greater love, joy, peace and freedom?

For more on this film, see LetItRipple.org.

Share your thoughts, if you please!

Also in this series are:
Black Maria Film Fest 1 - Anima Mundi
Black Maria Film Fest 2 - Installation
Black Maria Film Fest 3 & 4 - Hip Priest & Be Filled with the Spirit
Black Maria Film Fest 5 - Yelp!
Black Maria Film Fest 6 - We're Part of the City
Black Maria Film Fest 7 - No Wine Left Behind
Black Maria Film Fest 8 - Another Dress, Another Button

and one more to go to complete this series!

Black Maria Film Festival 8 - Another Dress, Another Button

Eighth in the series of short films shown at the viewing of the Black Maria Film Festival that my sister and I attended was "Another Dress, Another Button," a fun animation by Lyn Eliot which takes spare buttons on an "artful spin."  I like the description on the film festival's website:  "Spare, derelict buttons seem to collect with other flotsam and jetsam of life, collecting here and there helter-skelter forever waiting for someone to use them."




Everyone in the theater erupted into joyous laughter as a result of this film.  It was something we could all relate to and enjoy, regardless of what kind of thoughts had passed through our heads as a result of some of the films with heavier topics attached to them.  This was light hearted and played perfectly in the sequence shown.   


I could relate to this film specifically because I collect all of my spare buttons, and my husband's, and children's if their clothes ever have them attached.  I'll have to remember to take pictures of mine and come back to add them to this post.  I also use some of my buttons in artwork so when this film appeared on the screen, I had a huge smile on my face and thought - wow!  Someone else who cares about those spare buttons enough to do something with them!  And obviously I was not alone on this thought, especially after hearing the audience's pleasant reaction. 


I hope to see this film again one day, and hope you'll get to see it sometime too.  Here is the list of the rest of the films that I've blogged about in this series so far.  Two more to go!
Black Maria Film Fest 1 - Anima Mundi
Black Maria Film Fest 2 - Installation
Black Maria Film Fest 3 & 4 - Hip Priest & Be Filled with the Spirit
Black Maria Film Fest 5 - Yelp!
Black Maria Film Fest 6 - We're Part of the City
Black Maria Film Fest 7 - No Wine Left Behind

Black Maria Film Festival 7 - No Wine Left Behind

The seventh film shown in the sequence of the Black Maria Film Festival that my sister and I attended was "No Wine Left Behind," by Kevin Gordon.  Click on the picture below to go to the film's web page, read a synopsis, and view a short trailer.



This film was placed right after We're Part of the City.  It was an interesting, thoughtful placement, with meaning to extract.  There is always more to the story.  What happens to the veterans of war?  What happens to the veterans of the most current war that America has been fighting for over a decade, and is still not done with yet?  When the soldiers return, what can they do to make a living?  Are there six-figure plus businessmen who are taking them under their wing and giving them a means by which to make money?  Hmmm..... 

No Wine Left Behind answers these questions.  It is a thoughtful, well-made documentary about a war veteran who starts his own winery in California, Lavish Lanes Winery, and hires other war veterans to work with him.  He says that it was easier to fight in the war than to make a living once he got back into the country.  He did find a way, though, and is making a way for others in the same situation he was in. 



I am thankful for this film, because it brings light to a situation that currently affects many more people than I realized and carries hope within its story.  It made me realize that whether or not I or anybody else actively support the war or believe in war in general, it is important to support our troops, for they are real people, individuals, who have done their duty to support this country, and who need to be embraced by us citizens when they return home.

In this series:
Black Maria Film Fest 1 - Anima Mundi
Black Maria Film Fest 2 - Installation
Black Maria Film Fest 3 & 4 - Hip Priest & Be Filled with the Spirit
Black Maria Film Fest 5 - Yelp!
Black Maria Film Fest 6 - We're Part of the City

Black Maria Film Festival 6 - We're Part of the City

The sixth short film shown in the sequence my sister and I saw at the viewing of the Black Maria Film Festival that we attended was "We're Part of the City, 4th Movement," an eight minute piece by Luca Segall and Stanzi Vaubel of Brooklyn, NY.  As included in the online description of the films shown during the viewing at the Des Moines Art Center, "We’re Part of the City, 4th Movement is an astonishing, revelatory experimental work chronicling the New York City ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protest in a style that is as rebellious as the movement itself. Fractured sound and images collide and interweave, reverse, repeat in a collage of energy, all of which reverberates with and echoes the vitality, passion, and chaos of the movement."

I spent time trying to find something, anything from the filmmakers about this film, but there is no website, nothing.  All I come across are descriptions from sites that host the Black Maria Film Fest and the Film Fest's website.  I would like to watch this film again because it included such busy, bustling scenes, filled with chaotic energy and music.  The juxtaposition of images shown was very interesting.  For example, there'd be someone in a business suit next to someone with a disheveled appearance.... people creating makeshift signs that I wish I could remember the words of...  all of these unseemingly related elements together in one place...  that it what sticks with me as the most impressive part of the film.

The topic of the whole "Occupy Wall Street" movement is a touchy subject for many people.  I could sense discomfort in the audience while this piece was showing and there was one person who even walked out.  The film didn't have words to go along with it, no commentary, but perhaps the images and music in the way they were placed was a statement enough for people to take offense to it?  I don't know.  I've had mixed feelings about the movement.  I have wondered what it is going to accomplish, if anything?  And if there's a way that a more cohesive statement can be made?

But then I realize how difficult it is to organize things and especially to get people to do something together in one place.  At least that step has been done through "Occupy Wall Street."  It has brought people together who otherwise would have nothing to do with each other, most likely, because as you see in "We're Part of the City" there are all these different people together in one scene...  I just don't know what exactly is being accomplished, and I saw last night on the news that there were "Occupy Wall Street" protesters who were throwing feces on the street and even in an ATM machine...  That I don't agree with at all.  There's got to be more constructive ways to express angry feelings and disagreement, and I think that's part of my ambiguity with this whole thing...  If people could fully express the depth of their anger and what it is exactly that they want to see changed, what it is that they think is unfair and unjust and what they're against, then perhaps there'd be some success?  And it wouldn't look like just a random, unsynchronized movement by outsiders looking in? 

I think it's worth including this:


I will say this:  Luca Segall and Stanzi Vaubel did an excellent job at taking all the chaotic pieces and weaving them together hamoniously into something cohesive that was all at once interesting and thought-provoking.  While writing this I was listening to Beethoven's Symphony No.5, 4th Movement because it seemed to fit.   I just wish they'd share more online somewhere about "We're Part of the City" because I want to see it again and hear more about what was behind the creation of this important short film.  And I have ideas building of what could add to the statement of this movement that will fit with the last film shown in this series, so I will share them later.


In this series:
Black Maria Film Fest 1 - Anima Mundi
Black Maria Film Fest 2 - Installation
Black Maria Film Fest 3 & 4 - Hip Priest & Be Filled with the Spirit
Black Maria Film Fest 5 - Yelp!

Black Maria Film Festival 5 - Connected

The fifth film shown in the Black Maria Film Festival lineup was Tiffany Shlain's "Connected", also referred to as "Yelp:  With Apologies to Allen Ginsberg's 'Howl'".


Here is the trailer for this film, which includes insightful commentary about its message.



I will start with a disclaimer here, because this short (less than 3 minute) film begins with a quick animation of an evolutionary sequence in which an ape gradually becomes a man and the man gradually hunches back over and jumps into his computer. I have to lay this out because evolution is a sensitive issue. Personally, I believe that man was created uniquely, and you can laugh at my belief, or you can nod with me, and I'll love you no matter what...

What I wanted to say was that lately I have been able to grasp the understanding of evolution in terms of the human mind. The brain evolves over time, and each generation grows with the knowledge gained by the former. Looking back through history, I see the changes and the growth, and now as we have technology on our fingertips and humanity explores outerspace, it's obvious to me that mental changes take place the more we live on this planet. And I think perhaps that is the heart of evolution theory, not that humanity actually evolved from apes. It is not a topic I wish to debate, just wanted to put this out there since evolution can be a sensitive subject that may stop people in their tracks just from seeing this video start with that segment...  and if possible, I don't want that to happen because there is such an important message that this film explores and encompasses.  Here it is:


If for some reason you can't view this here, follow this link to view.

What do you think!? 

"Unplug!...  Visit the present tense." 

This film echoes my feelings and resonates with me deeply.  With all this connection at our fingertips, I have felt so disconnected.  With Facebook taking the place of real life relationships, of hearing voices over the phone, of receiving handwritten notes, of seeing expression on faces...  I have felt like I don't want to accept the counterfeit.  I see the good and bad in it.  Because of how Facebook has left me feeling like I'm way too often left hanging, I have wanted to disconnect from it, but I can't do it.  It is such a good way to keep connected, to see photographs of family and friends I don't see often, to keep in touch with friends old & new.  It just challenges me more to continue making those real life connections I seek, and overcome the urge to sit back and stay comfortable in the easy connection rather than writing that note or making that phone call. 

The internet is also a great way to collect information, and I love to collect information...  so much so that I need a break sometimes because my synapses feel like they're going to burn at the overabundance of it available these days.  My family & I have just returned from a short trip in which we spent the days together without the distractions of technology.  At home, with the computer right there in our kitchen/dining/office area, it is always easily accessible.  I find myself checking emails throughout the day.  I find myself distracted, following one link to another, forgetting what I even went on to check originally.  Being away from it was good for me.  I did check in a little bit in the hotel lobby with my laptop, where free wi-fi was available.  It was a break from the usual every day and it made me realize that I want to be more present with my family while I am at home.  It's not even that I am distracted for much of the day, but that it is so easy to lose the connection while I am surfing the web that it takes time to then get re-connected again.  It's just something for me, personally, to think about and reconsider.  When I have time to go online, perhaps I should focus on something else?  My writing?  Projects I've wanted to work on - both my own and with my kids?  Won't I get more satisfaction out of accomplishing goals rather than frittering time away? 

But then again, there is so much good information and I use the computer to make real life plans and real life connections.  And sometimes I feel like if I just have 5 minutes or so here and there, I can't accomplish anything worthwhile, so I might as well fritter.  Some benefits of the investment I have put into creating community through internet outlets are the real life-physical world friendships in my life that have been initially established through computer connection, and I wouldn't trade them in for the world.  (Note: I live in an area where it was difficult to find community intially, and with others who felt like me, started a chapter of Mothers & More which began by making connections with local mothers online, and turned into real-time, face to face community and amazing friendships that continue to exist and transpire.)  My kids and I explore subjects online and find extremely useful information.   Reading blogs is enjoyable to me - it opens my mind, gives me new insights, helps me connect with others who are on similar planes of existence, and I love my online artspace here...  I think the key is expressed in the interview linked to below, in which Tiffany Shlain expresses the idea that it is what we do with techology and all this connection that is imperative.  How we utilize it is important.  It's up to us all to individually assess our own lives and our own internet usage, and discover how to move forward with our collective knowledge.

For more:
Here is an insightful interview of Tiffany Shlain with Tavis Smiley
Connected the film:  official website
Tiffany Shlain:  official website
Words of Allen Ginsberg's "Howl"

I also want to include some of the lyrics from Sara Groves' song "Obsolete," which sum up my feelings about friendships and family relationships over the internet:  "And I don't know where we are, are we passing through these wires, are we walking through the streets of invisible empires?"  In her audio commentary of Invisible Empires, Sara explains that the Internet makes her feel like she is not enough and will never be enough, and I feel that too.  It also makes me feel invisible at times, like I am not seen, when posts are not responded to, when emails or comments are left unanswered, but you can see the activity of people, and that they are online playing a game or conversing with others...  It's a yucky feeling, but without such outlets, these feelings wouldn't exist.  In "Obsolete", Sara also sings these lyrics, "Are you and I an apparition flickering upon the screen...  tell me you can really see me?"  I put these in my "About Me" section of my Facebook profile.  It is a challenge to overcome what has taken the place of what I deem to be true connection, and I am guilty of not being able to fulfill the expectations I have for others...  But all of this, the film "Connected," the song "Obsolete," challenge me to "be the change I want to see in the world."     

And the main thing is this, dear ones - 
I don't want to see the best minds of my generation distracted or destroyed.... 
and I don't want my mind to be so, either.

Black Maria Film Fest 3 & 4

The third film shown at the Black Maria Film Festival on the evening my sister and I attended was Hip Priest, and the fourth was Be Filled With The Spirit.  John Columbus, the Black Maria's founder and director, explained that he purposely paired the one after the other, due to their spiritual content.  He did not go further into his exact reasonings but left attendees the freedom to wonder, and I like that.  I like things that make me think, and these films did that for sure.



Hip Priest, an almost thirty minute long film by Gregg De Dominico, is described in the program as "a gritty narrative in black and white shot in Brooklyn, NY.  The protagonist is an unorthodox street savvy clergyman who, in his way, ministers to the local denizens." 

On Kickstarter, Hip Priest is described as "a walking paradox.  A living contradiction.  This man is a priest.  They call him Priest."  Priest is played by Gerard McNamee, who is the General Manager of Manhattan's one and only Webster Hall. 

The Facebook description of this film includes the following:  "At the center of this world is Priest's 'bible', a self-made collection of words and images that have molded the energy inside him, which he dreams of sharing with the world. Ideas and anthems that have moved him and helped guide him through the hard edged days of life."  Priest's "Bible" included words from Alan Watt's The Wisdom of Insecurity, Henry Miller's Tropic of Capricorn, and Oscar Wilde's E Tenebris. 

I had no familiarity with any of these texts prior to viewing this movie.  The quote used at the end of the film could be deemed as offensive; it is from Henry Miller's book.  It makes me wonder what the drive behind the writing of words to express such disdain is. 

This film caused me think a lot and I don't think I'll be able to fully verbalize all the thoughts I have about it until I'm able to sit down and work through them in a discussion type setting with other thinking people, and who knows when or if that will ever happen.
 
I did think it interesting that the church's pews were always empty, yet the streets and bar and nightclub were full.  Priest went to these places, he went to the people.  He spoke words that meant something to him, and changes on faces were visible after they met with Priest. 

A quote that remains with me is from Priest's conversation with the widow after attending her deceased husband's viewing; it was about Priest's relationship with God as one in which they "tolerate each other." 

For more, you may view still photo shots from the film here or watch the whole film here.  The idea from this film was sparked by the photograph above, which is by Paul McDonough.  I found a few websites featuring his photos, here, here, and here.  And if you so please, sometime, tell me what you are thinking.





Be Filled With The Spirit was shown next, a social documentary by Milton Rogovin, whose artistry served to provide visibility and give credible memory to poor and working peoples in ten nations.
As described on Rogovin's website, "Be Filled With the Spirit is a dynamic look into the traditions of the black storefront churches as photographed by noted social documentary photographer, Milton Rogovin. Directed by Mark Rogovin."  In the festival's program, it is written that "this extraordinary film is a journey through time and the spirituals as recorded on site..."  It also "features an introduction and meaningful commentary" by the Dean of Howard University's School of Divinity. 

What this film does as a whole is make the viewer realize the importance of storefront churches, which is a subject that perhaps most people probably do not think much about?
I appreciated this film, and it was sentimental for me.  When I lived in Burlington, Vermont, I attended a storefront church for one year.  I became close with the people there and was part of the church family, singing harmony on the worship team, providing rides for Mother Ora (who I still keep in touch with), attending weekly Bible studies, working part-time as an administrative assistant.  Pastors Kwacha and Ron are still running the church and ministry, but have since moved on to a larger building (no longer a storefront).  I will always have an affinity to storefronts because of my experience there. 

And I will never forget how I came to attend that church, Hilltop Light... It was through Sister Clea's loving words and prayers reeling me in as she took the time to talk with me when she checked out on my cashier line at the Co-op.  She met me where I was at.

I'm grateful to the remembrance caused by this film, and to John Columbus' harmoniously orchestrated selection of both of these films in the evening's show.

Black Maria Film Festival 2 - Installation

The second film shown in the sequence of the Black Maria Film Festival that my sister & I attended was:
"Installation" - a 7-minute documentary about the installation of artist Richard Serra's "Sculpture Sequence" at Stanford University's Visual Arts Center. 
Here is the trailer for it:



John Columbus, the Festival's Founder/Director, described one of his reasons for choosing this piece as being because of the way the installation of these huge, heavy steel constructed sculptures is compared to a ballet.  While watching the documentary, I realized the importance of each movement and placement of these monstrosities.  The steel constructions are well-made, and viewers get a glimpse of the intense and intricate work that goes into their creation.  Our bridges and buildings, which we trust to hold our lives, are made like this.  The artist has a vision for their placement that must be matched to the exact centimeter.  In the statement Richard Serra makes through his humongous sculptural displays, it is clear that the minutia matters. 

An article in The New Yorker, "Industrial Strength," is referenced, and this quote by writer Peter Schjeldahl is one that I think sums up the message of this documentary and of statements made through Richard Serra's work: 
"It also recalls times when miracles of human invention were still spectacular, like the Brooklyn Bridge, rather than spectral, like the Internet." 

Let's continue to fight in this day and age to recognize and to keep the wonder alive, yes?

Goals: 
There are two sculptural parks that are within my ability to take day trips to, that feature works by Richard Serra, as well as many others.  I have been to Storm King, but not for years now.  Grounds for Sculpture I have not yet visited.  My goal is to visit both of these with my family by the end of this summer.  When I do, I will definitely take many pictures and dedicate a blog post to the experience of visiting each.

Update:
Remember how much I loved Anima Mundi, the first film shown at the Festival?  And how I couldn't find it anywhere online to watch it again?  Well, I contacted Kate Balsley, the filmmaker, told her how much I enjoyed and connected with this film, and asked if there was anywhere to watch it again or attain a DVD.  She sent one to me!  I am so grateful.  And now I can show my loved ones what I'm talking about when kaleidoscopes and fractals fill my brain, now they can actually SEE and HEAR what I'm thinking.  Thank you, Kate!

Black Maria Film Festval 1 - Anima Mundi

A local community college recently hosted a screening of films chosen to be included in the 31st annual Black Maria Film + Video Festival.  My sister and I went, not knowing what to expect.  The day before we went, I received an email from the college offering tickets for the event at 60% off, and I ordered them.  Our price was $4 each, but after attending, I know that in the future, paying even $20 for a ticket would be worth it.

On this evening, 10 films were chosen in a particular order by John Columbus, the Director/Founder of the Black Maria Film Fest.  By the way, the Fest is a program of the Edison Media Arts Consortium, honoring Thomas Edison's original idea.  The original Black Maria trailer still exists at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park.

i was here.

I'd like to collect here, over a course of weeks, the thoughts that emerged from the 10 films we were shown.  The way that these pieces where curated by John Columbus  added meaning, so I am going to post each one in the order it was shown.  Hearing from the Black Maria's Founder/Director was a special treat.  To have his insights shared, his reasoning into each film's placement, and the excitement that emanates from him about the independent film truly added to the whole experience of attending.

The first film shown was Anima Mundi, a 4 minute kaleidoscope montage of, as described in the festival's program guide, "vivid flower images.. compressed in multiple layers and butterflies in a crazy profusion of color and motion," and sounds too:  frogs croaking, insects humming, wind chimes ringing.  This short piece was awesome, and I cannot imagine the intricate detail and amount of time that must have gone into its creation.

As a collage artist who is secretly obsessed with kaleidoscopes and fractals, this was like a peek into my mind that I am unable to explain or describe.  Afterwards, my sister said it reminded her of my collages, and YES.  She totally got it.  It's obvious that I loved this Anima Mundi by Kate Balsley.  Here are a couple of pictures from the film that I found online, which I hope I'm not overstepping any boundaries by posting.

So, that's Part 1 of 10 for the Black Maria Film Festival I'll be posting, "Fueling the Independent Spirit Since 1980."

Update:  I contacted Kate Balsley to share how much I enjoyed this film of hers and to ask if there was anyway to view it again - online?  on a DVD I could purchase?  She generously sent me a DVD of this film, for which I am so grateful.  Now I can show my loved ones what it looks and sounds like in my head when fractalized kaleidoscope thoughts enter in and I enjoy them.