Abre Chen
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Contact Information*:
Brewster New York USA |
Contact Type: Artist |
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Bio:
Abre Chen, originally from France, produces videos and experimental art films. Her work has recently been included in the Arlene Grocery Film festival in New York, the Charred and Laquerred Film Festival in NY, the DV Expo Film Fest at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and has been screened in art galleries and alternative venues in metropolitan NY area. Filmography/Awards Info: This Contact appears in this database if Microcinema International has screened a film directed by the Contact, a film directed by the contact is featured in a DVD distributed by the Blackchair Collection Shop, or featured an organization or activity linked with the Contact. This database is used for commercial as well as informational, non-commercial purposes. It is a historical archive of Microcinema International's activities. Inclusion in this database and archive in no way implies a continuing formal relationship or affiliation with Microcinema International or the Blackchair Label nor an endorsement of its activities by the Contact. Contact details are not displayed in order to protect privacy. If you wish to contact this artist please see their website as listed above or write Microcinema International and we will be happy to forward your e-mail.
Microcinema Interview/Article:
April 2003 - Interviewed by Joel S. Bachar Alongside the original idea of making a film portrait, the film series sitting still john evolved through the process of footage acquisition, the creation of altered imagery, and through the process of digital editing. In some work I experiment with frame by frame, digitally handcrafted animation of stills. In this particular series, repetitive imagery and motion, the capability to lengthen, compress or bend time is very much in use. The manipulation of images and time is always tied to the sound I use and has a strong correspondence to it. It is a rhythmic, multilayered process of collage and assemblage which consists of levels upon levels of changes and additions. This gives me infinite possibilities and as such, in some form, I tend to limit the parameters of my material. In sitting still john, the bare and minimal environment provides this restriction. My work is very personal. It is all intuition, I act and react. Although at some levels I do have rules, overall it is a free form exploration, a transgression, the creation of a discordance between the reality and an outer reality. My stories, if they exist, are nonlinear as I am not particularly interested in real time or the traditional language of the narrative. I often find myself creating a moment of endless happening with no real beginning or end. I am attracted to the continual repetition of a process which stretches a moment in time that leads to nowhere. And from this angle perhaps it is in line with the postmodern thought that views endings and beginnings with skepticism. That moment in time is what defines video art to me. It comes about through a process of the self creating which is so intuitive that I feel is very private and feels very unique. Video art is a medium that allows for experimentation, that can permit one to challenge some established notions and defy conventions in a contained format. Unlike larger cinematographic productions, one can work solo without a crew, and can carry on with a more personal, intimate voice. Although I emphasize the level of privacy one can have with the medium of video art, it does not mean however that I always work alone. In this medium collaborations are important to me. Video art can encompass an innovative multimedia approach to the traditional media forms. I work in close collaboration with a sound artist (David Fox) who composes sound for much of my work, and we are also presently collaborating in experimental poetry and video performance. New York is an ideal location for experimental media and film artists. At all times the City offers an extraordinary collections of art and films to experience, with a richly diverse variety of styles. New York is also the hot bed of experimental arts and in particular video arts which has risen to prominence in the Chelsea galleries as well as other alternative venues. It is a great place both for the artists and people appreciating the arts. For example, I recently participated in an experimental film festival in East Williamsburg (Combustive Arts). The environment was very reminiscent of Warholıs Factory of the sixties. I enjoyed being part of the audience as much as having my film shown. I would be interested to see Chantal Akerman. The main reason would be to get to know her better, to talk about her work. |
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