Tonight see films by some seminal artists, outside. Showing will be Spiral Jetty by Robert Smithson, Railroad Turnbridge by Richard Serra and Sun Tunnels by Nancy Holt. It is no accident that these these films were made in the West with its grand landscapes which resist human alteration.
Sera is known for large steel sculptures of minimal form. They are fabricated with a steel formulated to develop a uniform patina of plain old rust. One public piece, "tilted arc" was removed and destroyed because people didn't like it, or like walking around it. It was a success in every dimension. Railroad Turnbridge documents the machinery that can reverse a locomotive. It was filmed in Portland. I must admit that a kinetic Sera could be quite dangerous, so I'm glad the artist stopped his exploration of movement with this film
Smithson's most famous piece, Spiral Jetty, is exactly that in a remote corner of the Great Salt Lake. Holt's Sun Tunnels are in an even remoter spot as noted by Portland filmmaker Matt McCormick
The Portland environs are ripe for outside art. The old Horsehead series had a nice run completing with about 10 invited works a year on a wooded and meadowed tract in Duvall, Washington. One summer day, artists visited to picnic and explore the new pieces and some old ones decaying into the landscape. There was no map, just word of mouth and the joy of discovery and exploration. (One year there was a side project raffle by disgruntled artists with the prize the opportunity to smash a Chihuly) Scott Wayne Indiana did a great show at Mt Scott Park last year - let's see more!
Tonight's films are 16mm analog, with that rich tonal range. The site a sweet urban garden. Music by J.P. Jenkins + Bird Costumes. A Cinema Project project. Music at 8:30, films 9
Artemisia Garden & Gallery 110 SE 28th Avenue xAnkeny $6
