Three films that captured my attention were Best South Seas (Unidentified filmmaker. Best South Seas, c.1937 Digital preservation of 16mm film 12 min. Charles L. Turner Collection
), Singing in the Garden (Carmel Myers, American, 1889-1980 Singing in the Garden, c. 1930 Digital preservation of 35mm film 2 min), and Salvador Dalí’s Home movie (Salvador Dalí, Spanish, 1904–1989 Home movie, 1954 Digital preservation of 16mm film 2 min).
“Best South Seas” is an amusing, cheerful video that shows a group of (supposedly hula dancers) dancing together. This film takes place on a beach, with the ocean and palm trees behind them. Their dancing styles, floral headpieces, and outfits are a representation of their culture (ethnic identities, cultural practices). Furthermore, “Singing in the Garden” is a recording of a woman singing with clear emotion. Her hands are clasped together, and she bows towards the end, so I can imagine that she sings very well. I have never seen someone sing with their hands together, and she was very still - possibly nervous about being on camera (or her gender identity as a woman living during the 1930s)? Lastly, Salvador Dali’s “Home movie” is a very playful film that captures his personality (as he holds pitchfork and simultaneously balances a coconut on his head). He is speaking to the camera in a very animated way, and the camera pans to a beautiful oceanfront view with white buildings in the distance. This film appears to be as personal as “Singing in the Garden,” yet, seems to be more relaxed.
Constructing an identity means identifying what makes you, you. As written by Judith A. Howard, “Self-schemas include organized knowledge about one’s self, the cognitive response to the question of identity: Who am I? These include the characteristics, preferences, goals, and behavior patterns we associate with ourselves”. Our identities consist of our many different aspects, ranging from our age to our gender. Ultimately, it is what we use to express ourselves and identify with us as human beings. It is us attaching meaning to different aspects of ourselves and sharing them by interacting with others.
As for the people in each of the home movies, I think the purpose of their film determines how they expect to be seen by others. For example, in “Singing in the Garden,” Carmel Myers appears very well put together, but stiff and very aware of her movements. She was performing for (assuming) a group, while in her garden. In contrast, Salvador Dali’s Home video above her depicts a playful man expressing his personality. Dali is a lot more lively and energetic! I feel that his goal was for the viewer of this film to see this, whereas Carmel Myers was more subtle and focused on her performance. The people dancing in “Best South Seas” may not know that they are being filmed, considering none of them looked towards the camera. I do not think they expected to be seen in a certain way by others.
The audience for these films can be anyone. Each of these films shows a different side of either a person or a group, which we most likely would not be able to see without these films. It allows them to express themselves and/or share their talents. If someone wants to have a better understanding of culture, films could be a great way to share this as well. The museum possibly calls this exhibit “Private Lines, Public Spaces” because of the settings of most of the films, and how they are being shown to thousands of people in a public space (Museum of Modern Art). Private Lines, Public Spaces, allows for a visitor to see the different sides of a person, which can be a silly cat video or a child swinging on a swing in her backyard. Regardless, this exhibit allows us to get to know someone (a complete stranger!) better, and potentially learn about their identities while being in a public museum. In all, this exhibit was very cool to look at! I enjoyed the homey feeling of the area - especially how it was very dark, but lit up by the many films. Everyone has a story and expresses themselves in unique ways. It was interesting to see some of the film cameras that were used - they look very complicated. Overall, I appreciate that many small and big moments were captured so effortlessly, and were able to be salvaged enough to use for this exhibit.
No comments:
Post a Comment