Mementeros – A turbulent thrust into a void of substance

July 4, 2019

  As in their previous collaboration, Lunacy (2017), Vanessa Sinclair and Carl Abrahamsson began by collecting texts and assembling these for Sinclair to cut up, randomly re-assemble, and record. The sources in this case are various erotic writings by Abrahamsson and many others. When these had been cut up, read and recorded by Sinclair, Abrahamsson set them to music (a total of eight pieces). With this “album” of spoken word / music as a foundation, a film was made to accompany the sounds and words. Using visual material from 1970s porn films on super 8 as well as newly shot material, Mementeros quickly grew into a vital entity of its own. At a throbbing 38 minutes in weird colors and slow motion layers, Mementeros is a psychosexual expression from an unknown place that constantly shifts shapes and desires. When the film was finished, randomly selected screenshots were printed out on photographic art paper, and then added to by Sinclair with further strips of cut up texts and...

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Bou Jeloud is alive and well

June 30, 2019

  An integral part of the adventure-mythos we’re living is the magic of Morocco in general, and of (the master musicians of) Joujouka in particular. Bowles, Burroughs, Gysin et al all formulated fragments that have gradually morphed into a tangible totality. A vital myth indeed. And yes, there was that LP of course: “Brian Jones presents the pipes of Pan.” The ultimate classic that led to many a collaboration between the master musicians and similars from other countries and cultures. So you can’t really go more Beatnik bucket list than actually going to Joujouka proper. They celebrate the solstice, they celebrate the great god Pan, they play incredibly psychedelic music, and also make great food. What’s not to like? After a few preparatory days in Marrakech, we headed north towards Tanger. Then onwards to the Rif mountains and the very village of Joujouka. Some fifty guests had arrived for the celebration; at least half of them from Japan. We made many new friends, and also met...

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Skimming a potential immersion, are you?

June 16, 2019

  Being actually subjected to art is perhaps not such a bad thing, after all? If we can casually control someone else’s artistic expression via our own computers and gadgets, and thereby feel temporarily superior and arrogant, then perhaps it’s a healthy thing to at times immerse oneself in it instead, on the dictated terms of the expression itself. I’m not saying one should force oneself to watch a lot of junk simply because of a pointless and arbitrary honoring of some aloof principle of respect. Not at all. But if you already feel curiosity, resonance and respect for a genuine and intelligent artwork, then perhaps it’s a great idea to ritualize the moment in order to go deeper into it. An example: If you can watch a chosen film in a cinema, that in itself rules out (or should) disrespecting the film by looking at your phone, flipping through a magazine, and what not. You’re there in the darkness, exposed to the film, and at the appointed time. The film rules, and it rules out...

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