eulb (2002)

Learn more about Georg Burwick at http://www.georgburwick.com. eulb (blue) was inspired by a description of Joseph Cornell's film Gnir Rednow (Wonder Ring, 1955). Gnir Rednow was conceived in response to Cornell's hearing the news about the removal of the nearby Third Avenue "el" stop close to Utopia Parkway in New York. Stan Brakhage was commissioned by Cornell to shoot the footage, which he later re-edited. Cornell, a master editor, dissatisfied with Brakhage's failed attempt to capture Cornell's vision, re-edited the four and a half minute16mm color film by reversing and turned the footage upside down. The train ride captured lacks the presence of any people and focuses on the rhythms of the ride and the reflections in the train windows. Cornell also included the message "The end is the beginning" at the end of the film.

eulb tries to capture much of my own feelings, rhythms and experiences riding the "L" through Chicago as Cornell attributed in his film to New York. The footage was shot in 2001 and was an abandoned project until I read of Cornell's experimental film Gnir Rednow. Reconsidering my own footage, I explored much of the same themes and images as Gnir Rednow in an effort not to recreate it but to contribute to the thoughts concerning journeys and stops made by the train and its commuters traveling through the city. eulb's journey is a metaphorical one, it exemplifies the journey between life and the next station awaiting us on the blue line.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• georg burwick
• video art installation
• visual art video
• video installation art
• video installation artist
• video artist
• Joseph Cornell
• Wonder Ring
• experimental video art
• Gnir Rednow
• conceptual photography
• digital media arts
• new domestic landscape
• fluxus art