The
Los Angeles Abstract Movie Workshop is for film and video artists
working in abstraction. We meet monthly to encourage and inspire
the creation of the Art. Modeled after writers' workshops, it is
a time when artists congregate to share new works and works-in-progress,
and to discuss goals, techniques, aesthetics and ideas. It is a
forum for constructive criticism, so check your egos at the door.Theory
is part of what happens at the workshops, but only as it folds into practice.
Bold claims must be backed up with action! Each attendee should
be engaged in the creation of works. (That's your homework!)
If you are not currently making Art... well, maybe the workshop can help
you out!
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Try to feel comfortable showing works-in-progress, as the workshop is not open to the public as a showcase.
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It is not a place to come to be adored.
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The workshop is not affiliated with any organization.
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Opinions expressed at the workshop are the sole responsibility of the source.
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These workshops are for fun and inspiration; there's no obligation, nothing to join.
The workshop meets each month in Culver City, California. If you are interested in attending, write to the workshop coordinator, J.Walt Adamczyk. (jwalt@spontaneousfantasia.com) We have the ability to screen DVD, VHS, miniDV, 16mm, and Flash. Given a "heads up", we can usually accomodate other formats as well.
Why do we do this?
Abstract films and videos have been made since nearly the birth of motion pictures, yet it is not a popular mode of filmmaking. However, some of us find strong beauty or meaning in moving images and we're inspired to create new works. The workshop helps us all by giving us placetimes to share our works and common interests.
We've been holding these workshops since October of 2001. The workshop is small, but it has been instrumental to our creating many new works. We don't all agree on aesthetics or philosophy, but we respect each other's work. We try to keep the atmosphere welcome and friendly. That helps people feel comfortable to bring new untested work, but it also allows us to be candid and good-humoured in our criticism.
We only show works by artists who are present at the workshop. There are two reasons for this:
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It keeps the pressure on us to produce works. . The whole point of the workshop is to get us to produce, so that we feel obliged to make something every month or so. We shouldn't substitute our lack of work with "filler" material. As practicing artists, we need to be creating new works, not watching "re-runs".
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By limiting the works to those of artists who are present, we keep the discussions fair and even-handed. It's not fair to criticize an artist's new work when the artist is absent, and it's not fair to give short shrift of those in attendence.
