Posting #20
Solo at Rubicon Cinema
4th Season Opening at the Rubicon Cinema in Akron, OH - - My thanks to Tim Peyton & Gedas Gasparavicius
Film still from "Crematorium: A Collaborative Self-Portrait", 1979
SEASON 4, EVENT 1
For a Season 4 opener, Rubicon Cinema is proud to present acclaimed filmmaker and visual artist JOSEPH BERNARD. The filmmaker will be present at the screening, introduce his work, and hold a Q&A.
Don't miss this unique opportunity!
When: Saturday, September 8, 8 pm
Where: Rubicon Cinema at the Blue Sky Studio, 943 Dopler Street, Akron OH 44303
JOSEPH BERNARD
Born in Port Chester, NY, Bernard was educated at the University of Hartford Art School and School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he studied with Stan Brakhage.
Now Professor Emeritus, Bernard taught fine arts at Detroit’s College for Creative Studies for 35 years. Experimental collage sensibilities are evident in his paintings, films and photographs. Contemporary poetry and music remain strong influences. His work is informed by travels to Provincetown, Southern California, Austin, Nashville and other locales.
His films have been exhibited at Toronto’s Funnel Theatre, Detroit Institute of Arts, Chicago Filmmakers, Rutgers University, San Francisco Cinematheque, Ann Arbor Film Festival, Dartmouth College, Indiana University Cinema, Third Man Records in both Nashville & Detroit and NYC’s Museum of Modern Art, among others.
PROGRAM (prepared by J.B. for Rubicon Cinema)
Icon, digital transfer from Super 8 film, silent, color, 1978, 05:32 min
Exterior - Detroit snow storm; interior - intimate details of stencil letters through much single-frame shooting. Together they transition Bernard's painting tools and sensibilities into this early abstract film.
Crematorium: A Collaborative Self-Portrait, digital transfer from Super 8 film, silent, color, 1979, 08:16 min
Shot at a Bohemian crematorium outside Chicago, this ‘self-viewing at work’ film makes metaphoric reference to both the location and process of cremation as a ‘recording’ of the deed itself.
Eye Reels, digital transfer from Super 8 film, silent, color, 1980, 16:17 min
An entangled meld of Celtic-flavored abstractions, home movies and an Irish dance fest, edited throughout with those very moves in mind. Fast shots and dense patterning echo those found in embroidery, lace, stone and metal work. They grow from the same language – in both calligraphy and sound. The tapestry-like interweave becomes the very fabric of this film.
Semblance: Frampton Brakhage Relation, digital transfer from Super 8 film, silent, color, 1981, 05:21 min
A simplistic analogy of obvious disparities of these two masters that the filmmaker concocted on the beach. A wonderful koan appears to join at mid-point.
Her Moves, digital transfer from Super 8 film, silent, color, b&w, 1985, 19:35 min
Interwoven footage of 12 female characters engaged in specific, physical activities – each filmed separately, throughout numerous east coast and Detroit locations, then edited into a collective dance of sorts.
Full Circle (It’s Always Been Around), digital transfer from Super 8 film, silent, color, 1994, 14:56 min
Based on the title and a premise from Bernard's undergraduate thesis, this film is built on the experience of the first viewing of Brakhage’s Mothlight and the impact it had on the filmmaker. Tagged at the end with "4 SB," this film is an expression of sincere affection and regard.
“To be an artist is not a matter of making paintings or objects at all. What we are dealing with is our state of consciousness and the shape of our perception.”
– Robert Irwin
J.B. Q&A with audience and Rubicon Cinema Director, Tim Peyton.
Bring your own beer, wine or snack.
Admission is free but we ask you to consider a $5-$10 donation.
Rubicon Cinema contact: rubiconakron@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubiconakron