[Frameworks] humorous experimental films

[Stephen Morgan]

>From a British perspective, I'd certainly second the suggestions of John
Smith and Bruce Lacey, and probably add Ian Bourn, who is but one of many
British moving image artists with a very definite humorous streak. In terms
of contemporary stuff I'd also add Nathaniel Mellors. I can't believe I
didn't think of him when I saw this thread earlier in the week, but having
just come back from seeing the latest installment of his 'situationist
sitcom' OURHOUSE, I can't help feeling he's gotta be up there.

Steve




On 23 May 2012 16:28, Adam Hyman <adam at lafilmforum.org> wrote:

> I second Gene.
>
> And also wish to add the other funniest man in the A-G, Tony Conrad.
>
>
> On 5/23/12 7:44 AM, "Gene Youngblood" <atopia at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > There's a difference between "funny," where you laugh out loud, and
> > "humorous," where you smile inside. Experimental film/video is almost
> always
> > the latter. One consistent exception is George Kuchar. I would argue that
> > the man who is the subject of his diaries is not only the funniest human
> > being in the history of the moving image, but is among the funniest in
> the
> > history of modern western culture.
> >
> > Humor is of course pretty subjective. For me, "Associations" is the
> > cleverest and most humorous of John Smith's work. Some other
> > experimentalists who are humorous to greater or lesser degrees would
> include
> > Will Hindle's later films, Martin Arnold, Martha Colburn, Joe Gibbons,
> Tony
> > Oursler, the early Peter Greenaway, Ernest Gusella, Ant Farm's Media
> Burn,
> > Miranda July, Arthur Lippsett, Guy Maddin, Andy Warhol, Mark Rappaport,
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: David Tetzlaff
> > Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 10:19 PM
> > To: Experimental Film Discussion List
> > Subject: Re: [Frameworks] humorous experimental films
> >
> > I'm all for droll humor, but I wouldn't call Wavelength a laugh riot.
> It's a
> > long wait before Hollis shows up. I think there's a lot of humor in
> > Frampton, especially Hapax Legomena 1-3 [(nostalgia), Critical Mass,
> Poetic
> > Justice) but it's subtle, and tickles the back of your brain more than
> > boinking your funnybone.
> >
> > Experimental films are rarely 'just' funny. Where you find humor it's
> often
> > mixed in a very unstable balance with darkness. "How can I shave when I
> > can't think of s reason for living?" Cracks me up every time. Cause I've
> > already been through the angst straight, you know.
> >
> > For American films, some that come to mind:
> > The Geography of the Body, (Willard Maas) which is the rare
> straightforward
> > comedy.
> > The End, (Christopher Maclaine) which is intermittently hilarious and
> > apocalyptic.
> > Flaming Creatures (Jack Smith) (it helps if you know it's a comedy going
> in)
> > Hold Me While I'm Naked, Sins of the Fleshapoids and other early George
> and
> > Mike Kuchar stuff.
> > Oh Dem Watermelons (Robert Nelson)
> > Blonde Cobra (Ken Jacobs) again funny parts amidst a darker vision
> overall
> > Recreation (Robert Breer)
> > New Improved Institutional Quality (George Landow aka Owen Land)
> >
> > other Breer, Nelson and Landow works also have their share of humor
> >
> > Then there are some experimental films that are more 'fun' than funny,
> such
> > as Cosmic Ray by Bruce Conner, Roger Beebe's TB/TX Dance, Peace Mandala
> by
> > Paul Sharits.
> >
> > good luck, (or good yuck) "Let there be rejoicing!"
> >
> > djt
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > FrameWorks mailing list
> > FrameWorks at jonasmekasfilms.com
> > https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
> >
> >
> > -----
> > No virus found in this message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 2012.0.2171 / Virus Database: 2425/5016 - Release Date: 05/22/12
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > FrameWorks mailing list
> > FrameWorks at jonasmekasfilms.com
> > https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> FrameWorks mailing list
> FrameWorks at jonasmekasfilms.com
> https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/pipermail/frameworks/attachments/20120523/b37137fb/attachment.html