Adam Curtis, Journalism + Video Art
12:56 am in More Like This, Strange Fruit by Brandon
Above is the last few minutes of Adam’s latest work, “It Felt Like a Kiss”. This I believe is being toured around art houses in Europe and has yet to make it over here in a legal format. Adam is best known for his documentary series “The Power of Nightmares” and “The Trap”.
What makes Adam Curtis brilliant:
Adam has found a way to take complicated, ambiguous content and fashion it into something so immersive that it plays like a feature film. He puts these complex ideas into a narrative that anyone can latch on to and supports it with found footage. It’s in this footage spanning the past century that he builds these compelling montages .
Where the Zeitgeist art docs come off as condescending, Adam Curtis comes off as that cool British teacher that knows his shit (and doesn’t belong at your university). He also has impeccable taste in visual imagery. He never says too much or blatantly panders his position but rather leaves it to the imagery and a bit of your imagination. Still, you can sense there’s always a gentle nudge.
There’s a unique feeling that comes with watching an Adam Curtis series that I’ve never felt in any other news delivery vehicles. It’s a hearty feeling, one you achieve only when you’ve learned something. But beyond that and even more amazing … I WAS ENTERTAINED.
Who thought news information and entertainment could mix in such a lovely fashion.
Cheers to Adam Curtis and the ilk soon to follow.
julie. said on September 6, 2009
i didn’t know that i was already an adam curtis fan until google just told me that he did ‘century of self’ which is fantastic and very much fits your description of his work. i like the sound of ‘the power of nightmares’ and will certainly check that out the next chance i get. thanks for making me aware of him and also for your kind words. let’s keep the good things happening.
Jillian said on September 8, 2009
Royal Osprey is a band I saw in Springfield last winter. At the time they were a two piece called “Twin Cats.” Please go see them if you ahve a chance.
http://royalosprey.com/post/178934982/last-shows-for-awhile
“The River’ by Twin Cats is one of the prettiest songs – ever. Maybe? I think their style changes from pop to shoe gaze to Sun Kil Moon type style depending on their mood or # of people playing with them.
http://www.last.fm/music/Twin+Cats/_/The+River