From Dec 26, 2010 leonardcohenforum
WOW. I just loved the whole experience
Varying in style and technique from song to song, thisMission accomplished! The individual films were “reverential”, a descriptor used several times during the evening’s program. The essence of each song was indeed complemented by each of the filmmaker artists.
program highlights the craft of each artist as they complement
and coalesce with the work of the legendary singer/songwriter
I had a smile on my face from start to finish. I loved it.
The Hammer Museum, Billy Wilder Theatre is one of my favourite cultural spots in LA. I arrived early to ensure snagging one of the free tickets. When the elevator opened onto the lovely outdoor courtyard, I was greeted by beautiful strains over the sound system of Rufus Wainwright, followed by Antony covering Leonard Cohen songs. What a great start to the evening.
The Billy Wilder Theatre is beautifully designed, arena style with plush comfortable seats. The sightline from any seat is excellent.
And the sound, oh the sound of the performance, was luxurious. I subsequently learned that credit for this goes to co-curator Darin Klein's direction at the sound check. I hope when this art event travels to other art institutions that they follow Darin's lead.
It is difficult to remember the specifics of all 11 videos, count ‘em, 11 videos, that were each presented in such a short time span. Like all art events, I would have loved to immediately view it all over again, especially after hearing some of the filmmakers’ comments in the Q&A.
I must mention for two of the songs, I concentrated more on the Leonard Cohen aural rather than the visual, "A Singer Must Die", which I heard live for the first time in Gothenburg and the unornamented "Who By Fire", the chilling Unetaneh Tokef
Following the screening, Darin Klein, Programs Coordinator at the Hammer Museum and co-curator with Lorca Cohen, hosted the Q&A with some of the filmmakers who were present.
It was Lorca Cohen’s inspiration to start gathering filmmaker artists to make videos to the songs in this album. He said he was thrilled when she asked him to help her so he could ask some of his favourite artists to make videos to one of his favourite artists. He introduced Lorca in the audience who modestly waved from her seat.
The artist filmmakers were all young and award winners. Their video clips were fantastic.
Click here to see the program with the filmmaker artists bios with thanks to Darin Klein for sending me the pdf file.
We were asked to take no photos. But there was no mention of audio. So after the performance, I turned on my Sony stick and captured the wonderful Q&A with four of the artist filmmakers.
The first artist on the audio is, Weston Currie talking about "Lover Lover Lover." His tale about the horse and its rider in his video is priceless.
The second filmmaker is Sarah Rara, from "Lucky Dragons" describing her approach to "A Singer Must Die" which was influenced by what she saw on the internet.
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| Film still of Ashley Boudet by Tina Tyrell (Hammer Museum) |
Next is Tina Tyrell, "Leaving Green Sleeves" on how she got a principal dancer from the New York City Ballet, Ashley Bouder, to be in her video.
And the last one is Brett Milspaw, "Who By Fire" who hid in a church with construction workers eating their lunch and randomly captured images of pedestrians.
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. 1974 (Columbia Records) New York
Additonal info per Dick Straub on leonardcohenforum
Tina Tyrell is...daughter of pop singer Steve Tyrell ...and she took the cover photo for the AR [Anthony Reynolds] book. Sylvan and Lily Lankin are part of the McGarrigle/Wainwright clan who frequently appear with the other family members (Rufus and Martha).
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