Film Content and modern Context

When I set out on this experiment I had considered the fact that if the emulsion does indeed work then I will need to capture an image onto it, as I don’t have access to a 35mm film camera and the emulsion is handmade and will consequently leave a white dust in the mechanics of a camera I needed to look at ways of exposing the film to light with out the use of a camera.

This lead me to Stan Brakhage and his approach to experimental filmmaking in which he makes films without the use of a camera, I looked at his most famous work Mothlight (1963) in which he uses moth wings and leaves stuck onto the film and as the light passes through the projector it shows the details and intricate lines within the wings and leaves.

I felt that I would appropriate this method but also add my own twist in order to contextualise it into the modern day.

Within my previous work I have always worked with the idea of using analog methodologies and digital methodologies, the two working together harmoniously in what I call a di-alogue [my manifesto], this project will also incorporate this element as I have decided that the image to capture onto the emulsion is that of the digital code that makes up a screen shot from Stan Brakhage’s Mothlight. 

From Mothlight (Dir. Stan Brakhage1963)    

Mothlight image code

This will be printed onto clear acetate and then place this on top of my filmstrips and expose it to light, this will then imprint the code from the image.

I have ensured that the code of the image is not too large otherwise it will just become a blur, so I have printed onto the acetate with a size 6 font as this is small enough to be seen but shall appear not too large when the film is scanned digitally.