Saving Pop Culture
Experimental German Music Videos
The Goethe-Institut in cooperation with The Film Archive Wellington and MIC Auckland proudly presents a compilation that features the 16 best examples of German music videos produced between 2003 and 2007.
Awarded the MuVi Prize at the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen for best visualisation, these clips are in stark contrast to the vibe of expensive performer videos. The works refuse to obey mainstream laws, re-shaping them according to their own standards, creating a parallel cultural niche which incorporates all traditions of modern art.
We are delighted that German film maker Christina von Greve will come to New Zealand to present her own work as well as that of her 15 colleagues. NZ musicians Bright Colours will be playing a live performance in Wellington in response to Christina’s work on 11 October 2008, 7 pm.
“The music video that really deserves to be called such always relates to its music, never treats music as something merely to be illustrated or commercialized, but as an equal and interactive medium of expression for an audio-visual art form that exists in its own right.” – Lars Henrik Gass, Director, International Short Film Festival Oberhausen
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Background:
The first ever music clip was “Studie Nr. 2″, made by Oskar Fischinger in 1929. It was also around that time that Hans Richter made his “Vormittagsspuk” (”Ghosts before Noon”) to the music of Paul Hindemith. Abstract films and Dadaist montages were perceived as “music for the eyes” or “painting in time”. When the National Socialists came to power, the experimental music clip emigrated. During the 1980s it found a new platform on the music TV channels, where after some years the experimental ultimately yielded to the mainstream, only to pop up again – like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes – on the internet platforms of youtube, myspace and the like. It is here that these short experimental clips have advanced to become the currently most-watched film genre.
For more information and/or if you are interested in an interview with Christina von Greve, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Wellington, The New Zealand Film Archive, 9 – 11 Oct 2008, 7 pm
Auckland, Galatos, 17 Galatos St, Newton, Auckland City, 2 & 7 Oct, 7 pm
Contact:
Lisa Mönchmeyer
Cultural Officer
Goethe-Institut Wellington, PO Box 9253, Wellington, NZ
Email: info@wellington.goethe.org / Phone: 04 385 6924
