New Directions in the Visual Arts Series. Anne Alexander: Wood Sculptor; Michael Shaughnessy: Organic Sculptor; Stuart Nudelman: Fine Art Photographer 1988
Distributed by Chip Taylor Communications, 2 East View Drive, Derry, NH 03038-4812; 800-876-CHIP (2447)
Produced by Randy Visser and Roland Salazar Rose
Director n/a
VHS, color, 30 min.
High School - Adult
Art
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Jeffrey Pearson, Film and Video Library, University of Michigan, Ann ArborThree artists are given 10-minute profiles in this video series produced by Maine college students majoring in communications. A wood sculptor is shown chainsawing and chiseling to create seed and pod-influenced works, and finished pieces are seen on outside exhibition in Portland, Oregon. A sculptor who works exclusively with hay weaves large organic shapes and landscapes and talks about of the metaphor of his “temporary” art. A photographer explains his differing approaches to art and commercial photography. All of the artists speak of their influences, philosophies, and motivations. The depth of the profiles is limited by their brevity, but the filmmakers do a good job of showing what the artists do and why. The quality of the productions is what might be expected from college students; competent but not elegant. They do avoid a “talking heads” approach with a variety of camera setups for the interviews, intercut with footage of the artists working and shots of their finished artwork. The content of this program is not particularly insightful or incisive, but it is not intended to be. Its purpose is more introductory. Recommended for junior high school through junior college.