The award-winning short film Cockatoo tells the story of a man attempting to heal his broken heart by hiring a young girl to play the role of his ex-girlfriend. An 11 minute comedy, Cockatoo was produced by Ninja Milk and directed by Matthew Jenkin. Shortlisted in the final selection of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2012 (ASFF), Cockatoo has received widespread success not only at ASFF but at other events such as Flickerfest 2012 and won Best Foreign Director at Lebanon International Film Festival. Cockatoo is a leading example of how to champion comedy in short film. There is still chance to submit a short film for ASFF 2013, which runs 7-10 November across the city of York. The final deadline for submissions is 31 May.
A master at his craft, Geoff Souster’s classic tailoring in Chris Whitehead’s short film, shows that success is not always born out of academia. A three minute documentary, Three Blind Mice reflects on how Souster launched his career as a bespoke tailor and perfected his craft over 40 years. Produced by Film Infinity Video Production, the film was shortlisted for the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) 2012 as part of the documentary category, and went on to gain further success in the Reed Film Festival and Rushes Soho Shorts Festival, which screened the film at The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London last year. There is still chance to submit a short film for ASFF 2013, which runs 7-10 November across the city of York. The final deadline for submissions is 31 May.Three Blind Mice, Short Film from ASFF
Daniel Gordon: The Green Line, Los Angeles
The Green Line is Daniel Gordon’s first solo exhibition in Los Angeles, and from 18 May until 29 June his colourful and striking works will adorn the walls of M+B. The exhibition title is a nod to Matisse’s well-known 1905 portrait of the artist’s wife and is visually referenced in several of Gordon’s works including large scale still lifes and portraits, along with a selection of smaller works operating as isolated studies. Available at the gallery will also be Gordon’s fourth monograph titled Still Lifes, Portraits & Parts, published by Mörel in conjunction with the exhibition.
Daddy, Short Film from ASFF
Featured at the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) 2012, short film, Daddy, is a visceral expression of director Sydney Southam’s knowledge of her father’s suicide. The artist film depicts Southam’s privileged, yet tragic background, blessed with success and wealth, but unfortunately affected by an inordinate amount of premature death, many cases of substance addictions, and bitter relationships and abusive behaviour. Consisting of idyllic and picturesque archival film and the artist’s own footage, the short explores the dichotomy between what is preserved in the family memory and what is remembered about the actual events. There is still chance to submit a short film for ASFF 2013, which runs 7 – 10 November across the city of York. The final deadline for submissions is 31 May.
Interview with Emilie Pugh
Natural Perception was an art show recently curated by Aretha Campbell at 68 Dean Street, a Georgian House in Soho. The apt and stunning venue showcased the work of eight artists including Henry Hudson, Mat Chivers, Emilie Pugh, Nancy Fouts, Dr. Victor Schroeder, Guy Archard, Phoebe Dickinson, Adeline de Monseignat, Sam Pelly, Yun-Kyung Jeongs and Camilla Emson amidst the wooden beams and cobwebs. The show was a take on Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection. Emilie Pugh, whose work consists of a gentle union between the permanence of ink and the volatility of burning incense-marks into paper, was one of the artists. Emilie has recently secured an artist residency in Berlin to begin this year, and Aesthetica speaks to Emilie about her work.
Leslie Thornton: Luna, New York
For the second time, New York artist Leslie Thornton returns to the Winkleman Gallery, New York, to exhibit an inspiring new work. Luna is a detailed examination of nature and technology, utilisng the interplay of place, memory, and abstraction to produce a piece glittering with colour and character. Running, 11 May to 22 June, Thornton’s practice crosses the borders of cinema, video, digital media and installation.
Annegret Soltau: ZeitErfahrung L’esperienza del tempo, Brescia
German artist Annegret Soltau’s current solo show, ZeitErfahrung L’esperienza del tempo, at Maurer Zilioli Gallery Brescia, is described as somewhat of a “mini retrospective.” Upon entering the gallery, the viewer is immediately transfixed by the numerous photographs of body parts sewn together and reassembled on to other bodies. Large silver framed photographs display what are acknowledged as her family members, the images depict individuals and groups posed carefree and relaxed.
A dark and gothic film, ABCDead is a two minute tale of experimental genius. Shot in black and white, the short follows a story of sadness and untimely death. A visual poem, ABCDead was directed by Camilla Robinson and produced by Dapper Films. The film was part of the official selection for the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) 2012 and was played in the Experimental series. There is still chance to submit a short film for ASFF 2013, which runs 7 – 10 November across the city of York. The final deadline for submissions is 31 May. ABCDead, Short Film from ASFF
Safwan Dahoul: Repetitive Dreams, London
For the first time Syrian painter Safwan Dahoul exhibits his work in the United Kingdom at Ayyam Gallery, London. Runing 9 May until 15 June, Repetitive Dreams includes the first series of paintings Dahoul has created since leaving Damascus for Dubai last year. The exhibition in London coincides with an exhibition of large-scale works by the artists as Edge of Arabia, London, from 8 May until 15 June.
Essential Film Festivals this May
To celebrate the final month of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) call for entries, Aesthetica presents the essential film festivals to follow or attend this May. The deadline to submit a short film is the 31 May, and the final selection will be screened in York, 7 – 10 November. Covering the genres of drama, documentary, animation, comedy, music video, thriller, experimental and artists’ film, the festival showcases the films across 15 distinct and historic locations in the city of York. Here are our top film festivals this month.
Palace Art and Craft Fair, London
For the third year, the Palace Art and Craft Fair returns to London, 17 – 19 May. Organised by the team behind the highly successful and well established Brighton Art Fair, MADE LONDON and MADE BRIGHTON, this year the fair becomes an art, craft and design fair; a small scale more intimate event showcasing highest quality and original contemporary art and design across all media. Located in the beautiful grounds and main building of Fulham Palace, the historic Tudor/Georgian Palace, formerly the country home of the Bishops of London right by the river at Putney Bridge, is the perfect spot for perusing and purchasing art.
Interview with Previous ASFF Best of Fest Winner, Rich Williamson
The deadline for submissions for the Aesthetica Short Film Festival is fast approaching. There is just under a month left to submit short films to the festival that runs across the city of York in November, and the final deadline for submissions is 31 May. Aesthetica speaks to the director of The Sugar Bowl, Rich Williamson, (co-directed with Shasha Nakhai), about his enjoyment of ASFF and his advice for future applicants.