[Frameworks] Flicker Films

[Steve Polta]

Back when I was in art school and was very into "flicker films," I was told by an instructor that there were "three [sic] filmmakers who pioneered the use of flicker," to which I asked "who was the third?" The answer: Victor Grauer. I don't make any claims regarding the statement about "the three" but I've only managed to see one of Grauer's films (at PFA in 2006: http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/film/FN15847). I'd be curious to hear more about his work. And I know the films are at the Film-Makers' Coop:
http://film-makerscoop.com/rentals-sales/search-results?fmc_author=303

On May 20, as part of CROSSROADS 2012, San Francisco Cinematheque will screen "FF" (2010) by Deborah Stratman, about which she writes: "A short flicker film [in digital video] adulterated by representational images.  FF
 was an assignment given by artists Melissa Dubbin and Aaron Davidson 
who created the soundtrack to which I was asked to make a 'future film.'"
http://www.sfcinematheque.org/#/calendar/201205202/

Finally, I happen to agree with Fred Camper that an "Evening of Flicker Films"-type screening is less compelling programming. In fact I have learned more about these works—how they operate and relate to works of other artists—when they are included in group screenings and allowed to bounce off of other, non-flicker, works. The works of Paul Sharits in particular benefit when "external" concerns (non-formal or "structural" issues; issues outside of reductive formalist interpretation) are introduced into the experience; certain seemingly formalist works of Scott Stark are notable in this sense as well, in the interesting ways that bits of "reality" leak through the cracks of his films' formal structures. But at a certain point in my life I would have been the first in line to see such a "flicker showcase" so, you know, more power to the original poster in all his curatorial endeavors!

Steve Polta

--- On Tue, 4/24/12, Fred Camper <f at fredcamper.com> wrote:

From: Fred Camper <f at fredcamper.com>
Subject: Re: [Frameworks] Flicker Films
To: "Experimental Film Discussion List" <frameworks at jonasmekasfilms.com>
Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 11:02 AM

Jonathan's answer is very good (I might add that Ernie Gehr's "Table" is a
kind of flicker film), and just about any "theme" is suitable for
programming. I just wanted to register a slight discontent with the many,
many theme-based shows that produce queries here, not with any one in
particular, just with their preponderance.

It would be my contention that "Arnulf Rainer" has, on its deepest level,
much more kinship with Kubelka's other films than with any other "flicker"
films. Considering the relationship between "Arnulf Rainer" and "Unsere
Afrikareise" might occasion some deep thoughts about film stuctures and
consciousness the nature and meanings of Kubelka's work. Considering
"Arnulf Rainer" in relation to other flicker film does not get one nearly
as far, in my opinion. Sure, you can notice differences, but it's not easy
for a viewer to understand a filmmaker's unique language from a single
film. My richest experiences tend to come from considering a filmmaker's
whole oeuvre, even as the object-orientated nature of our culture tends to
want to focus on specific films.

Fred Camper
Chicago

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