The Spring Film and Video Series is under way.
The series, which began last week, will show a new movie at 7:30 p.m. every Friday through May 24 in the Columbus Museum of Art auditorium. The series is presented in conjunction with the Ohio State Photography and Film Alumni Association.
“A lot of the movies we show are unusual. It attracts a new audience to the museum. (The series) is a way to get people to come to the museum who may not normally come,” said Jeff Sims, educator for the Adult Program and Film and Audio Visual Specialist for the museum.
Each of the six films tells the story of an artist, often from the viewpoint of someone that was close to that artist, rather than in the first person. Such is the case in Camille Claudel, which portrays a young sculptor’s affair with Auguste Rodin.
“We want to show how creativity and artwork are portrayed in movies,” Sims said.
Most movies about a particular artist are recent and have a contemporary angle, Sims said. The oldest movie in the series was made in 1977.
The films explore the worlds of both fictional and historical artists that include sculptors, painters and photographers.
“The films are slightly edgy, entertaining, yet classically aware,” said Clay Lowe, Co-host of the discussions and board member of the OSU Photography and Film Alumni Association.
“The atmosphere is like a ’70s coffeehouse, with a hip ’90s edge. It’s reminiscent of the earlier days when film societies flourished on campus,” he said.
Each film will be followed by a discussion led by Lowe and John DeSando, the hosts of the WCBE 90.5 FM radio show “It’s Movie Time,” and a guest speaker. The speaker will have a connection to the film viewed that evening. Last Friday’s screening was “Proof,” the story of a blind photographer. The special guest was Traci Parks, a legally blind photographer whose works include “Miracle Images.”
The special guests co-hosting the series come from a wide range of art and media professions.
“The audience discussions are freewheeling, open, witty and invite audience participation. (It’s) not a classroom lecture. We have a multi-generational audience,” Lowe said. “The museum atmosphere is not stuffy. It’s warm.”
Upcoming films include: “All the Vermeers,” a 1990 independent film about a stockbroker who becomes obsessed with a French actress during a visit to the Vermeer Room of the Metropolitan Museum.
“Basquiat,” the 1996 directorial debut of Julian Schnabel, which tells the story of the 1980s’ art sensation Jean-Michael Basquiat, who died of a heroin overdose at 27. The cast includes David Bowie and Dennis Hopper.
“Surviving Picasso,” which casts Anthony Hopkins as the artist and is told through the eyes of Picasso’s mistress over 10 years.
“Islands in the Stream,” which features George C. Scott as an isolated sculptor who rediscovers his relationship with his sons.
The museum hosts a film series each fall, winter and spring, and is considering adding a summer series this year, Sims said.
Of particular interest to OSU students is a Dogme 95 series the museum is planning for winter, Sims said.
Dogme 95 is a film movement started in Europe in 1995 that stresses minimal reliance on technological effects, and an emphasis on plot and character development, according to its Web site.
Recent Dogme 95 films include “Celebration” and “Italian for Beginners.”
The Columbus Museum of Art is located downtown at 480 E. Broad St. Admission to each film is $3 for non-members and free to members of the museum. For more information, call 221-4848.
