Posts tagged “art”

4 posts, newest first

• RIP Joe Matt, you were kinder than you let on.

  1 November, 2023

  

  Joe Matt laid bare his life in autobiographical comics to form a 'peep show' of sorts.

  I used to see Joe Matt, Chester Brown and Seth regularly at a coffee shop called Jet Fuel in the Cabbagetown district of Toronto. My initial thoughts were, "Who are these loud, arrogant people drowning out the conversations and thoughts of others with no concern?" Eventually, I got to know them as pioneering indy comic book artists and even wrote about one of them (Seth) for a magazine.

  While all three did interesting work, the one whose work I related most to was Joe Matt. His work is self-defacating, honest, funny, yet touching. I told him about how I used to buy Grendel comics (by Matt Wagner) as a kid (a series he worked on as colorist) and he squinted at me saying, "You don't look that old." I also asked about his predilection for watching, errr, 'nature films', and while he admitted he felt bad about his habit yet he also said he thought it, "great stuff." Joe Matt's addiction to 'nature films' is a recurring topic in his work and something he struggled with. Unlike most, he was humorous about this. But if you delve into Peepshow, you will also read of his struggles as a poor, broke artist intent on integrity, family issues and relationship troubles.

  Joe Matt was always a nice, approachable and gentle fellow. I could sit and chat with him at the coffee shop anytime I wanted, to discuss comics or other things. I liked to see him with the cool hipster young ladies he hung out with, including an electro-punk lead singer in a local band. I forget what they are called. But I was more interested in Joe Matt and his shy demeanor.

  I find his anthology, 'Peepshow' one of his finer works and it holds up well. Sadly, Joe Matt's work ethic dropped off in the latter 2000's and while there is a pending book about his move to Los Angeles, USA from Toronto, it is not completed. I suppose there was an underlying sense of guilt and overall sadness to him. A relationship that did not work out, a longing to find his 'other', and overwhelming loneliness. But I always saw a shy smile whenever I glanced his way. Rest in Peace, man.

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  • art
  • books

• 'Modulations: Cinema for the Ear', a favored electronic music documentary.

  14 April, 2023

  

  DVD box cover for Modulations.

  This documentary played in local, non-mainstream film theatres during the late 1990's during (to me) the golden age of electronic music. A tsunami of electronic music washed over the mainstream world and outsold any other section of the record store. Compact discs and records were priced well out of range for most consumers. Learning and accessing the music was done through radio, mixed tapes, record shops, magazines, clubs, and peers. Internet accessibility was an issue for the populace and had yet to be adopted en masse. So when Modulations was screened, it was cathartic for fans to see the music scene and favourite artists of the time on the big screen, even if most of them had bad teeth. Some of the highlights of the film are interviews with Mixmaster Morris and Squarepusher speak, as well as watching artists Prototype 909 play live. Even if you are not a Throbbing Gristle fan, Genesis P-orridge is fascinating in this documentary, especially his clothes and hairstyle. Most of the music makers featured here produce from their bedroom and you can see most artists live modestly to practise their art. This documentary is not only about the music, predominantly during the 1990's, but the philosophies that inform various scenes and even touches on the origin of electronic music production.

  
  

  Film director, Iara Lee posted Modulations: Cinema for the Ear for free viewing on her Vimeo account through her Cultures of Resistance NGO channel. Iara Lee currently does documentaries on conflict zones throughout the world. While what she does is tremendously important, the docs on the more decadent sides of our society, i.e. music scenes, interest more. Here is the documentary below, play it LOUD.

  MODULATIONS from Cultures of Resistance Films on Vimeo.

  • technology
  • education
  • music
  • film
  • art

• Simon Crab and his Invisible Cities

  1 January, 2023

  

  Simon Crab and his Invisible Cities release.

  Recently conducted an interview with Simon Crab about his latest album, Invisible Cities for Chain D.L.K.. As always, Simon Crab makes interesting and enjoyable music where he deftly combines electronics and acoustic instrumental into musical narrative. The cover art for Invisible Cities is interesting too, instead of his usual typographically-driven stuff, like on After America and Demand Full Automation, he paradoxically achieves a more organic look with the decidedly inorganic AI approach. It is always fascinating to learn about Crab’s composition process and the ideas that inform the music. Specifically his ‘egalitarian’ approach to using accessible instruments and software synthesis. Learning about the life experiences that inform the music is also fun, like tapping into Crab's activist riot days. Read the interview and review and find out for your self. Better yet, hit play on the embed below.

  
  

  Space Ritual · Simon Crab Invisible Cities LP (SR006)

  • music
  • art

• Shane Carruth, post-2000 filmmaking great.

  22 June, 2022

  Upstream Color (2013)

  Shane Carruth is probably one of the most innovative and important film makers since the 2000's to emerge. Carruth made his mark with the debut film, Primer (2004), a science fiction film about two engineers who inadvertently invent a time machine and then use it to gain wealth. The film was made out-of-pocket by Carruth for $7,000.00 USD and was picked up by MGM for six figures. Script, shooting, acting, music score all done by Carruth. Primer has since gone on to cult status, deservedly so.

  Subsequent film, Upstream Color (2013) was also made out-of-pocket for about $25,000 USD and received limited distribution but also achieved cult status. Carruth wrote the script, shot the film and acted as well as composed/performed the score. However, David Lowery edited the film, with Carruth. Upstream Color is an eco sci-fi about the loss of self identity and the struggle to rebuild from shattered fragments. Someone taps into an ecological anomaly for selfish gain and the protagonists look for ways to disrupt this. The film, acting and music are spectacular and heady. This is a treasure to watch.

  The only other directing credit Carruth has is Predicting the Future (2017) a documentary about identifying patterns in data to predict likely outcomes, as part of the Breakthrough National Geographic documentary series.

  Carruth has since wrote a script for two additional films, A Topiary and Modern Ocean, but as of this writing, are unlikely to be produced. Moreover, no Hollywood entity or otherwise will fund his films. This is especially so after an unfortunate turn. Lately, Carruth was accused of domestic violence from former fiance, and co-actor on Upstream Color, Amy Seimetz--an allegation Carruth denies and Seimetz has yet to provide evidence such as photos, doctor/police reports or corroborating witnesses. This presents reasonable doubt that the allegations are baseless. Until claims are substantiated, I will continue to affirm that Carruth is among the film making greats. Make no mistake, women are frequently victims and I do not condone such alleged acts, but this may be the rare false accusation.

  Unfortunately, Carruth has declared himself to be retired from film making. While I wish him to be absolved of accusations and making more films, sadly, we are all at a loss for now. Perhaps Carruth and the untimely end of a promising filmmaker has become a cautionary tale. Meanwhile, we have three films he made and various others he acted in.

  Below, a short film directed by Casey Gooden (who worked on all of Carruth's films) We'll Find Something (2015) starring Carruth and Amy Seimetz.

  • film
  • art