Embark on a mesmerizing journey into the realm of self-experimentation and artistic dialogue at the special screening of the 16mm film Essais (2020) by Swiss Visual Artist, Filmmaker, and Writer, Hannes Schüpbach that unfolds like a visual poem, blending dance, reflection, and the avant-garde.
The film takes you on an exploration of new movements through a rich array of gestures and postures, seamlessly transcending the linear flow of time and evoking a cinematic experience like no other. The screening will be followed by an invigorating conversation between the director and Independent Curator and Writer, Veeranganakumari Solanki discussing the nuances of the film, its underlying themes, and the inspiration behind the accompanying book.
Join us for an immersive cultural experience that pushes the boundaries of art and challenges the conventional.
Hannes Schüpbach was born in Winterthur, Switzerland, in 1965. He is a visual artist, a maker of silent films, and a writer. Since 1999 he has completed eleven silent films. An overview exhibition of his works, Stills and Movies, at the Kunsthalle Basel was curated by Adam Szymczyk in 2009. It highlighted the intimate conceptual interconnections between his installations, performances and films; they all entice movement, and unfold through memory. Many of his pieces explore the creation of art, such as his films Erzählung (2007), L’Atelier (2007), Spin/Verso/Contour (2011), Instants (2012), and Essais (2020), as well as his large-scale installation Explosion of Words (2021), which revolves around the oeuvre of London-based poet Stephen Watts. His films have been presented in venues such as Tate Modern, London (2009); Centre Pompidou, Paris (2012); CCCB Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (2016, 2023); Kunsthalle Basel; Anthology Film Archives, New York (2023).
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Veeranganakumari Solanki is an independent curator and writer based in India. She is interested in the way interdisciplinary forms and creative practices merge to create dialogues in public and private spaces and the convergence of images across disciplines. Further, her research and practice consider how historical and contemporary thought informs exhibition-making and artistic practices to expand the ideas of medium specificity through narration, memory, time and story-telling. Her curatorial discourse has focused primarily on art practices within South Asia and its diasporic context. Veerangana was the 2019 Brooks International Research Fellow at Tate Modern and a resident at Delfina Foundation. Currently, she is the Programme Director at Space Studio, Baroda, a Director of the SqwLab Foundation and teaches the Curatorial Practice MFA programme at Kathmandu University. She curated ‘Future Landing: The Arcade’ at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2022 and ‘Synaesthetic Notations’ at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2023.
Read moreEverlasting Era of Silent Movies
The 19th century marked the inception of motion pictures, with the first glimpses of this captivating art form emerging in the 1880s. It wasn't until the first 11 years of the 20th century that silent movies truly took off, establishing a commercial market from 1895 to 1906. During this era, movie studios laid their foundations, and filmmakers experimented with new techniques. Films were often shot in one continuous take, employing a fixed, non-moving camera. Pioneers in early silent movies paved the way for what would become a thriving industry. While Europe played a significant role in shaping the early silent movie era, these captivating films quickly gained popularity worldwide and continue to be one of the favorite tools of expression for filmmakers like Hannes Schüpbach.
Experimental Films
The term "experimental film" was coined by critic Boris Arvatov in 1922. Experimental films, also known as avant-garde films or underground films, defy the conventions of mainstream commercial filmmaking. They are often created outside of the traditional industry, allowing filmmakers to freely explore their artistic visions without limitations. One fascinating type of experimental film is psychogeographic films. These immersive works take viewers on a journey through urban landscapes, exploring the emotional and psychological effects of our surroundings. Through unconventional storytelling techniques and visual aesthetics, psychogeographic films challenge our perceptions and invite us to see the world in a new light. Another intriguing category within experimental film is lettrist films. Lettrism combines elements of poetry, painting, and performance art to create captivating cinematic experiences. These films often feature fragmented narratives and abstract visuals that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling.
Brief overview on the 16mm Film Gauge
In 1923, Eastman Kodak revolutionized the American movie industry by introducing the Cine-Kodak, the first-ever movie camera. This breakthrough marked a significant milestone in filmmaking history. A film gauge refers to the width of a strip of film used for capturing moving images. In this context, 16mm takes center stage. Unlike its larger counterparts like 35mm or 70mm, 16mm film offers unique advantages that have made it a beloved choice among filmmakers. One key feature of 16mm is its composition: it consists of a base made from non-combustible acetate plastic, a safer alternative compared to other materials used in earlier films. Additionally, what sets 16mm apart is its ability to capture images without creating negatives during filming. This streamlined process saved time and resources for filmmakers while maintaining excellent image quality.
Film Essais
In the film Essais, Hannes Schüpbach portrays
a mesmerizing journey through the world of movement and transition. The
filmmaker delves into the lives of seven talented creatives and researchers,
capturing their unique habits, idiosyncratic movements, and captivating
gestures. Through his lens, Schüpbach unveils the essence of these individuals
and their relationship with movement. He skillfully portrays how their bodies
become instruments of expression, conveying emotions and narratives in ways
words cannot. Essais is a visual
feast that invites viewers to delve deeper into the complexities of human
motion. Schüpbach's masterful storytelling captures the essence of each
character's existence through their physicality. It is a celebration of
individuality and the power of movement as a means of communication.
