As mass media began to dominate culture, the distinction between original and copy became increasingly blurred, instigating what became known as ‘the shadow debate’ within theoretical circles in 1960s Japan. This exciting array of underground works references and inverts the debate with shadow presences and televisual realities. Shuzo Azuchi Gulliver will present three of his minimal expanded film works involving unique re-configurations of the screening environment. Rare works by Rikuro Miyai, Tatsuo Shimamura, Takahiko Iimura reflect on the nature of appearance and presence in post-war society where Masanori Oe and Marvin Fishman’s epic six screen film chronicles the turbulent political landscape of late 1960s from the civil rights movement to the Vietnam war and the atomic bomb.
Programme
Shuzo Azuchi Gulliver Watch Japan 1966-67, 16mm, transferred to video, 20 min approx.
Shuzo Azuchi Gulliver Switch Japan 1967, 16mm, video, 10 min approx.
Takahiko Iimura I Saw the Shadow / 私は影を見た Japan 1966, 8mm transferred to 16mm, b&w, 7 min
Tatsuo Shimamura Transparent Man / 透明人間 Japan 1968, 16mm transferred to video, colour, 6 min
Rikuro Miyai Shadow / シャドウ 1968, 16mm transferred to video, b&w, 12 min
Shuzo Azuchi Gulliver Box Japan 1967, 16mm, b&w, 5 min approx.
Masanori Oe & Marvin Fishman Great Society USA 1967,16mm, multiple projection, b&w and colour, 17 min