July 15th, 2005 12:00 am
Associated Program:
Rubber Johnny
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Microcinema International
KTRU
Presents
The Short Films of Director Chris Cunningham
with a special preview screening of his new short:
"RUBBER JOHNNY"
Lounge ambiance: DJ Gina Tonic
WHEN: Friday, July 15th, 8pm, .00
WHERE: The Axiom, 2524 McKinney, Houston
MORE INFO: Details, hi-res stills
Patrick: 713-412-5120, patrick@microcinema.com
Microcinema International and KTRU hosts a screening of the works of director Chris Cunningham - with a special pre-release screening of his new DVD short "Rubber Johnny" on Warp Records DVD Label.
Cunningham is best known for his music promos for Madonna, Bjork and Aphex Twin. Collaborating with Aphex Twin has proved to be a successful partnership. Banned by MTV, Windowlicker (Aphex Twin) won him numerous awards, and Come to Daddy (Aphex Twin) recently made the top 100 ‘Scariest TV Moments of all Time’ on Channel 4 in the UK. His Director’s Series DVD on Pakm Pictures label has sold fervently, proving Cunningham has transcended the boundaries of the average music promo director.
Chris Cunningham's career as a music video director began in 1995 when, aged twenty-five and passionate about music, Chris met and persuaded Autechre to let him direct a promo for a track entitled "Second Bad Vilbel." Following on from this video, Chris was soon working with a range of artists during the early days of his career, waiting for that all-important track that would allow him the opportunity to create the images for the music that truly excited him.
In August 1997 Chris realised a long-term desire to collaborate with Richard James (the Aphex Twin) and directed the video for the single "Come to Daddy" through the production company RSA / Black Dog Films who he had recently joined. Not only did this video change the face of music videos, it catapulted his name into the public. Needless to say the video has since won a plethora of awards and accolades including the MCM grand prix du jury 1997.
Rubber Johnny – the long-awaited release from Cunningham – chronicles a 16-year-old, inbred mutant's solitary existence, locked in a pitch-black basement by his ashamed parents. They are TV addict rednecks who occasionally feed Johnny and yell at him for making noise. Johnny's only company in the basement is his little dog. His dog's I.Q. far outstrips Johnny's, who is a completely insane, bi-polar imbecile.
The first of many projects with Warp Films, Rubber Johnny is an abstract short featuring music by legendary electronic composer, Aphex Twin. Shot entirely on DV in infrared, this lo-fi live action animation is unbeatable on a techinical level. The DVD packaging presents Cunningham’s first published sketchbook of original drawings and photographic artwork which promises that the DVD will be a highly desirable collectable for hardcore Warp fans and art aficinados. The DVD will be available for sale at the Axiom.
In addition to Rubber Johnny, shorts from Cunnigham's Palm Pictures Director's Label DVD will be screened.
Select shorts:
MUSIC VIDEOS
Autechre - Second Bad Vilbel
Aphex Twin - Come to Daddy
Portishead - Only You
Madonna - Frozen
Leftfield featuring Afrika Bambaataa – Afrika Shox
Squarepusher – Come On My Selector
Aphex Twin – Windowlicker
Bjork – All Is Full Of Love
The Director Series DVD will be available at the Axiom.
DJ Gina Tonic will spin tunes 'till midnight. The Axiom has a bar. |
Axiom Theatre
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Organization Type: Microcinema |
Seating Capacity: 100 |
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Contact: Patrick Kwiatkowski |
Position: Founder |
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Description:
Infernal Bridegroom Productions was founded in 1993, in order to develop new audiences for the arts through the production of plays unlike any others being produced in Houston, Texas. Over the course of its ten year, forty-one production history, the company has been recognized for excellence in various local and national publications, including American Theatre, Stage Directions, Dallas Morning News, The Houston Chronicle and The Houston Press, which, in their annual “Best of Houston” editions, has issued the company awards including Best Theater Company, Production, Original Show, New Play, Actress, Actor, Director, Set Design, Light Design, Costume Design, Curtain Speech and Christmas Show. IBP has introduced Houston audiences to the works of Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, Brian Jucha, Sarah Kane, Richard Foreman, Wallace Shawn, Mac Wellman, Heiner Müller and Bernard-Marie Koltès, and has mounted eleven original plays and twenty regional premieres. The original music the company has created receives regular radio play on various college radio stations around the country. And in its recent residency at The Axiom, IBP has returned the legendary warehouse district nightclub to its roots as a mecca for the most vital, exciting live music in town.
Five years ago, IBP was an all-volunteer, homeless company. The company now boasts its own theater with a full time staff of five and a resident company of eighteen and pays fees to all its artists. It’s Outreach and Education programs have reached hundreds of area high school and college students. And, though blessed with a loyal following among traditional arts patrons, fully half of IBP’s audience does not regularly attend cultural arts events of any description. IBP has received substantial financial and in-kind support from various foundations, corporations, arts organizations and private donors.
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