Snows, 1967
Betacam numérique PAL, noir et blanc, silencieux
Snows is a 17-minute video of a performance by Carolee Schneemann recorded at the Martinique Theater in New York in 1967. Initially shot on 16mm film, this recording was then transferred to video and combines colour and black and white images.
The actions take place in a setting with a winter theme: representations of snowflakes hang on branches. The use of aluminium foil and foam reinforces the sensation of coldness that emanates from the staging. The predominantly white chromatic is attenuated by the presence of bags filled with coloured water suspended above the stage and light panels in different colours.
Within this environment, six performers evolve, manipulating each other like puppets. The fluidity of their movements is disrupted by the punctual use of strobe lighting. Their bodies are shot in close up and the fast editing accentuates the energetic aspect of their actions.
A film by Carolee Schneemann, Viet Flakes (1965), is projected onto the tableaux vivants composed by these performers. In order to produce this film, the American artist collected images of the atrocities of the Vietnam War in the press of the era, for over 5 years. She then filmed this collection of images with a Super 8 camera, hovering over them as though she were travelling from one to the next.
In talking about this work, Schneemann clearly evokes her intentions and falls within the tradition of politically committed art: “... [Snows] was build out of my anger, outrage, fury and sorrow for the Vietnamese.” 1
Laetitia Rouiller
1: From the artist’s website: http://www.caroleeschneemann.com/snows.html
