Video Screening
dal 7/3/2005 al 8/3/2005
Segnalato da
7/3/2005
Video Screening
Metro Pictures, New York
John Miller and Richard Hoeck's 'Something for Everyone': a narrative about a UPS worker's frustrating day. The story depicts a consumer society in which people and things trade places. Olaf Breuning's early videos contain signs and codes of everyday culture and derive their influence from the world of television, advertising, cinema, and art. Often his works are reminiscent of b-movies, childhood memories and horror films.
John Miller / Richard Hoeck
Something For Everyone, 2004. 30 Minutes
Screening on March 8th and 15th at 6:15 PM
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Olaf Breuning
Woodworld, 1998. 9 Minutes
Gum Glum Glee, 1999. 9 Minutes
Ugly Yelp, 2000. 5 Minutes
King, 2000. 9 Minutes
Screening on March 8th and 15th at 6:45 PM
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Miller and Hoeck’s “Something for Everyone†is a 30-minute narrative about a UPS worker’s frustrating day. Early in the morning, a cell phone interrupts Ken Kenwood’s breakfast. Ken’s boss tells him that because his truck has broken down, he must do his usual deliveries using only a hand truck. With each delivery, Ken’s day goes from bad to worse. Moreover, each stop brings a new encounter laced with sexual expectation. Nothing, however, works out. Ken asks almost all the various characters he meets for something to drink. If invited in, his next step is to play a song by the Sweet on his customers’ stereos.
Thematically, the story depicts a consumer society in which people and things trade places. Ken’s operative identity boils down to a brown uniform and a gold logo. His sex appeal is linked to his recognizability, which is that of a brand name. “Something for Everyone†is also a portrait of Vienna’s 2nd District; the story begins and ends at the Praterstern, the portal to Eastern Europe.
Hoeck and Miller drew their inspiration from a variety of sources, ranging from Wenders, Fassbinder, Tati and Ackerman to “window washer†porn and Benny Hill. Working in close cooperation with their producer, Bernhard Riff, the two spent four years writing, filming and editing this video. Through a conscientious and restrained performance, Andy Noble brought the character of Ken Kenwood to life. Hoeck and Miller also thank Kurt Mayer for his invaluable camera work and technical assistance.
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Olaf Breuning’s early videos, which have never been shown at the gallery, contain signs and codes of everyday culture and derive their influence from the world of television, advertising, cinema, and art. Often his works are reminiscent of b-movies, childhood memories and horror films.
Olaf’s first film “Woodworld†makes use of smoke machines, strobe and black lights, bubble machines, and a stationary automobile showing inhabitants who seem to be a gang of ghosts or ghouls. In “Gum Glum Glee†two meandering red lights illuminate an eclectic cast of characters inside a green-lit, smoke-filled space. What seems to be a rock video and horror film combined, “Ugly Yelp†portrays longhaired vagabonds participating in murderous deeds. The final film “King†depicts the artist on a road trip wearing aviator sunglasses; donning a knight suit, he brandishes a sword and runs into a vast expanse of desert.
Image: Olaf Breuning, Film Still from 'Home', 2003
Metro Pictures Gallery - 519 West 24th Street - New York