Beware: In my presence, you will be documented! Photo by Åsa Ersmark.
Over the years, I’ve more and more realized that what I do is basically the same thing over and over, yet in new forms. That is: meeting interesting people, listening to what they have to say, and then filter that for others. Whether it’s been materialized in writing or photography, it’s a documentation mania I can’t seem to shake. And don’t want to either.
In the spring of 2013, I initiated a new form in this filtering endeavor. What would happen if I added a video camera or two into the equation? And made films instead of articles or exhibitions? It didn’t take long to whet not only my appetite but also my already overflowing desk. AN ART APART was thus born as a project, conceptualized together with my good friend and master editor Henrik Møll.
Once the seed was sown and the flower blooming, I didn’t need much further convincing. The initial work turned out fantastic. All hunches were reliable and all efforts successful. To be involved in filmmaking again is a pleasure and a blessing in so many ways I can’t really describe it.
The focus, as the name implies, is on art and artists who go against the grain or in some ways stand out as integrity pioneers. As the art world and its Molochian markets become more and more commodified and drained of creative vitality, there needs to be an inspirational influx of revitalizing energy and ideas. It is my hope that these conversations with radical movers and shakers will help provide just that.
On location for the film about Kenneth Anger, at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood. Photo by Åsa Ersmark.
Currently in the series, as work in progress or already in the editing stages:
Kenneth Anger
Charles Gatewood
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge
Michael Gira
Vicki Bennett
Mark McCloud
Andrew McKenzie
Gustaf Broms
Carl Michael von Hausswolff
Angela Edwards
If you want to be updated about this exciting project, please join the mailing list at the TRAPART home page (and/or the one at this very blog). When there is news of any kind about AN ART APART, you’ll be the first to know.
And yes, in case you wonder, more films are in the works too. No rest for the wicked documaniacs.
