“Jack Smith was one of the most accomplished and influential underground artists in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, and a key figure in the cultural history of film, performance, photography and art in America. From the late 1950s until his death from A.I.D.S. related disease in 1989, Smith was chiefly recognized for his work in film and performance. Beginning in the 1970s, Smith’s films—until then screened under typical viewing conditions—were incorporated into his Live Film Performances with film, slides and music from his vinyl LP collection. He re-edited footage on the spot while the reels of film were being projected. He intercut camera original with workprint material, using an ingenious method of masking tape splices. This continual changing, shifting, and repositioning of his celluloid film, slides, LP records with live action meant that the work remained in a continual state of flux – always different with every viewing. It begs the question whether or not they could ever be ‘finished.’ Because of this, the work resists ending. Watching a Jack Smith film is like being at the end of a party in the presence of the last guest who refuses to go home.” (Jerry Tartaglia)
Two programs of never seen, newly restored films by underground legend and queer icon Jack Smith show rare footage of Smith’s drag muse Mario Montez, who passed away in September 2013, and Smith’s notorious adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. John Zorn, seminal figure of the avant-garde and experimental music scene, who worked with Jack Smith on his performances in the late 1970s, will accompany two films of the evening for Montez with records from Jack Smith’s personal collection.
The film programs are curated and introduced by film preservationist Jerry Tartaglia.
So., 9.2., 20:00
HAU HEBBEL AM UFER (HAU 1)
Stresemannstrasse 29, 10963 Berlin
Jack Smith: Beyond the Rented World I – For Mario Montez
Introduction: Jerry Tartaglia
MILKBATH SCENE from NORMAL LOVE (USA 1964–69)
BOILED LOBSTER OF LUCKY LANDLADY LAGOON
(USA 1969–72)
IN THE GRIP OF THE LOBSTER (USA 1969–72)
plus
EXOTIC LANDLORDISM (USA 1964–69)*
OVERSTIMULATED (USA 1959–63)*
*with musical accompaniment by John Zorn, who will play
records from Smith’s personal collection
followed by: discussion with John Zorn, Ken & Flo Jacobs
and Jerry Tartaglia. Moderator: Marc Siegel
Ticket pre-sales via www.hebbel-am-ufer.de
Fr., 14.2. 19:30
Berlinische Galerie – Museum für Moderne Kunst
Alte Jakobstrasse 124–128, 10969 Berlin
Jack Smith: Beyond the Rented World II – Hamlet , Gems & Other Shorts
Introduction: Jerry Tartaglia
HAMLET IN THE RENTED WORLD (A FRAGMENT)
(USA 1970–73)
GEMS, CLIPS AND SHORTS (USA 1968–77)
followed by: discussion with Jerry Tartaglia.
Moderator: Marc Siegel
Ticket pre-sales via Berlinische Galerie
(Wed – Mo 10:00 – 18:00)
Jack Smith: Beyond the Rented World is a follow up of LIVE FILM! JACK SMITH! Five Flaming Days in a Rented World, curated by Susanne Sachsse, Stefanie Schulte Strathaus, and Marc Siegel in 2009.
All images, films and video, courtesy of The Jack Smith Archive, Gladstone Gallery, NY and Brussels.
