/video/stills/lenka-klimesova-01.jpg

Lenka Klimesova - Found footage site specific archive theatre performance art

6:42, 2009
 
The architecture found footage story. There is an old amphitheatre and many analogue films in this video. A monument of an irrecoverable ideology. The absurdity of the political ideology. A person from the future explores the footage and makes site specific actions and shows the last screening in the amphitheatre.

DirectorLenka KlimesovaProducerLenka KlimesovaWriterLenka KlimesovaCameraTomáš Kordula, Lenka KlimesovaEditorPavel Valášek, Lenka Klimesova
 

CountryCzech RepublicEdition2009 Screenings2009
OPTICA FESTIVAL – www.opticafestival.com (E)
DARKLIGHT FESTIVAL – Light House Cinema, Dublin (IRL)
INTERSALON AJV – Sladovna, Písek (CZ)
CIKLE ONE NIGHT – The Brno House of Arts / kavarna Trojka, Brno (CZ)
namaTREba 3 – Academy of Fine Arts, Trebinje (BiH)
ART CONTAINERS – The Brno House of Arts, Brno (CZ)
MULTIPLACE – “Videoart is not dead”, Brno (CZ)
MONSTER – Trafo gallery, Prague (CZ)
 

< overview

Interview

 
Who is Lenka Klimešová?
I am a Czech multimedia artist. I am such a "Renaissance Artist" in the sense that I use various media and their mutual combination. Except of visual art I am also interested in cultural studies, sociology and technology.


Your film is about?
Video is not a real found footage, the film that I found, but rather I create it myself. Priority is certainly getting its own atmosphere and workmanship. Interpretation left to the viewers. Main objective with this video was the fact, that the architecture should be demolished. It contains also a lot of negative voices from public, because the building was under the cultural protection. Unfortunately rich people (owners) are very quick and they demolished all building and after that nobody could do anything. This story about the amphitheatre is so strong for me, that I had to realize the absurdity of political and financial manipulations with cultural monument in this way. This architecture was really nice and preserved and it could be a good place for meeting of people on various cultural events after only the minimum reconstruction. Paradoxically there is no large place in Bratislava for these purposes. Finally there will be a residential development for rich businessmen. And also the helplessness or indifference of authorities is perplexing for me. Given that the amphitheatre is ongoing destruction becomes the construction of the past now. Work includes both work in archives and preservation limiting architecture. In essence, I create a special type of monument.


How did you start with film? And do you have an educational background in art or film?
This work is directly classified as video art or video performance. It was made during my M.A. Studies in Academy of Fine Arts and Design Bratislava, Slovakia. My decision about making this video was very quick because I didn’t know when the demolition of theatre start. That is why the video is very impulsive and based mainly on improvisation and collaboration with a unique place.


Could you explain how you work, what themes or concepts and what is important to you?
Usually I spontaneously decide on a topic and start processing it immediately. Then improvise at the very creation, because I most influence the process. During the improvisation I think the concept of why I’m doing, and what I basically mean. Sometimes I find that it is better to leave so that the process is strong in itself. Sometimes I have to better make their intention to apply scenario, but even that is mostly just a schematic and again leaves space for improvisation. Personally, I think they are important both procedures. Improvisation can not function without the concept and vice versa. Works have a clear mission, which always identifies the concepts work. Rather I try to make up for the visually compelling works of the audience thought about different life situations - over himself.


How does the title relate to the work, and how do you find a fitting title?
Title is the most funny part of all the artwork. In this case it is a little ironic and absolutely relates with the work. I simply use all relevant words associated with the art piece.


Nowadays everyone with the right equipment can create videoart, good, bad or ugly?
...interesting...


How important is the reaction to your film by the audience?
Got the view that things are influence each other, so I am happy if I invoke the audience response.


What is your next project about?
Let surprise you and watch my website.

 

< overview