Visual Architecture

Like the film Blade Runner prophesied, moving images have become an integral part of our everyday lives: on mobile phones, at the gas pump, billboards, elevators, subways, airline seats, bathrooms, nightclubs, menus in restaurants, art pieces on the gallery wall or in the hotel lobby. Screens at rock concerts wrap around stages in 360 degrees, or hang like fabric above the crowds; video projectors fit in the palm of the hand and can be connected to a cellphone. We have entered the era of the Microcinema.

Moving images are now part of our ambient environment – creating new and unique visual experiences and challenging the way we perceive traditional narrative structures within the cinematic medium.

The theme of Visual Architecture puts forth a challenge to creative persons working within the moving image arts to exploit these new phenomena and to consider their works a part of this new paradigm. We are seeking works no longer than 10 minutes that interpret this call and theme of Visual Architecture. Possible genres include but are not limited to: ambient, motion-design, animation, music-videos, documentaries, non-traditional narratives, VJ/DJ visuals, experimental, and especially any new genres that you are creating!

About Independent Exposure

Since its inception in 1996, Independent Exposure has evolved into an intentionally-curated effort designed to bring the latest and most innovative short-form works to an untapped and broader audience by presenting the program in non-traditional venues, or, "microcinemas". These showcases are exhibited in venues such as galleries, cafes, bars, nightclubs, outdoors, and other alternative spaces that support the independent arts. To date, Independent Exposure has been presented hundreds of times in 44 countries plus Palestine and Antarctica and at base camp on Mt. Everest.

Since 2005, Independent Exposure has teamed up with a partner to curate the screening programs and select prize winners and a "best-of" selection. Recent partners include Addictive TV, Hal Hartley, Asthmatic Kitty Records, and Bill Plympton.

We are particularly excited to have internationally renowned architect Carlos Jiménez as our judge for this season.

“Over the years”, Carlos states, “I have conducted several design studios where I interpolate the relationships between film and architecture – studios where we look at cinema as a compelling architecture of time, light and space.”

“For Independent Exposure it really is the perfect fit”, according to co-founder Patrick Kwiatkowski. “Since it’s inception in 1996, our short film festival has attracted innovative and experimental films that have their own structure and many that act as architectural pieces themselves. We know that having Carlos on board will draw exciting works.”

About Carlos Jiménez www.carlosjimenezstudio.com

Carlos Jiménez is an architect and academic based in Houston. Born in Costa Rica in 1959, he moved to the United States in 1974. He received his degree at the University of Houston School of Architecture, in 1981, and established his professional practice in Houston the following year. Today, Carlos Jiménez Studio is recognized for numerous residential projects as well as the Central Administration/Junior School Building for the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, W.L.S. Spencer Studio Art Building at Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, and the Peeler Art Center, DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana among others.

He was the 2004 Ruth Carter Stevenson Chair at the University of Texas School of Architecture, and has been a visiting professor at schools across the country, including UCLA, Southern California Institute of Architecture, and Harvard University. He is a tenured professor at Rice University’s School of Architecture and is a frequent juror and visiting critic at universities and cultural institutions throughout North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Japan. He is also a writer and his articles have appeared in numerous international architectural journals.

Thank you to our presenting supporter Panasonic

For the last 6 years Panasonic Broadcast has been a proud and supportive presenter of Independent Exposure.

www.panasonicbroadcast.com

About Microcinema International – www.microcinema.com

Microcinema’s first activity was producing Independent Exposure. From our activities in presenting this program a film distribution business was born.

Microcinema International is now a leading specialty distributor of the moving image arts. Microcinema International specializes in the acquisition, exhibition, and distribution of independently produced works of an artistic and socially-relevant nature. Microcinema’s mission is to seek out, curate, exhibit, promote, and distribute compelling works to a broad audience via existing and emerging mediums. Through Microcinema International DVD, a unique and diverse catalogue of international titles are distributed into retail, wholesale, online, and institutional sales channels worldwide, as well as via streaming and download through sites such as Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, Snag Films, Fandor, Indie Pix, and others. Featured artists include: Alex Cox, Hal Hartley, Lynn Hershman-Leeson, Bill Plympton, William Wegman, Jenny Holzer, Pipilotti Rist, Mike Kelley, Marina Abramovic, and many others.