Bruce Conner

[videographer]

What do you guys know about Bruce Conner? He was from Kansas, part of the Beat Generation and just died a day or two ago. Among other things he made films. Any info??

[Qrazy]

I prefer his original work to his found footage stuff, but it's all good really. This is what I've seen... bolded are the two I most enjoy.

# America Is Waiting (1981)
# Mongoloid (1978)
# Take the 5:10 to Dreamland (1976)
# Report (1967)
# The White Rose (1967)
# Breakaway (1966)
# Ten Second Film (1965)
# Vivian (1965)
# A Movie (1958)

[Duncan]

Ah man, one of my faves from the American avant-garde. If you look a page or two back in that iosos, Duncan, Melville, and Derek present top 100 thread you can see an entry on Report that I wrote. A Movie is my second favourite. Breakaway is awesome. But like Qrazy said, they're all pretty good. Unlike him though, I prefer the found footage work.

[origami_mustache]

one of my favorites as well and I also prefer his collage work...sad news :(

A Movie, Report, and Cosmic Ray are my favorites.

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

Now that he is dead maybe his work will get a DVD release.

[origami_mustache]

Now that he is dead maybe his work will get a DVD release.

eh that would be pretty inconsiderate, but probably.

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

eh that would be pretty inconsiderate, but probably.

well he was inconsiderate about letting people see his work.

[origami_mustache]

well he was inconsiderate about letting people see his work.

He is an artist first and foremost and I respect that he didn't want to commodify his work. A traveling exhibition is probably the most suitable environment for screening his work, and certainly makes it a more special experience.

[videographer]

Are there torrents of his films? Found footage and otherwise?

[origami_mustache]

Are there torrents of his films? Found footage and otherwise?

I know karagarga has most of them.

[videographer]

I can't get onto Karragarga, can you guys help me out?

[balmakboor]

He is an artist first and foremost and I respect that he didn't want to commodify his work. A traveling exhibition is probably the most suitable environment for screening his work, and certainly makes it a more special experience.

I'm of the belief that an artwork belongs to the artist, until he is finished with it. Then he turns it over to the world. And damn it, as part of the world, I want to be able to see and apraise that work as often as I like. It's mine now.

[Qrazy]

I can't get onto Karragarga, can you guys help me out?

Try youtube also.

[origami_mustache]

I'm of the belief that an artwork belongs to the artist, until he is finished with it. Then he turns it over to the world. And damn it, as part of the world, I want to be able to see and apraise that work as often as I like. It's mine now.

I mean to a certain extent I am with you...I would personally love to purchase a Bruce Conner collection, but were I a member of the deceased's family I would respect the wishes of my loved one.

[videographer]

Went to youtube and saw DEVO-Mongoloid, (About)Robot and Breakaway. Was hoping to see A Movie, which seems to be his most well known work. Will keep looking.

[balmakboor]

I mean to a certain extent I am with you...I would personally love to purchase a Bruce Conner collection, but were I a member of the deceased's family I would respect the wishes of my loved one.

Yes, I hear you. I'm not criticizing his family, I'm criticizing him for his decisions. I'm also critical of Frederick Wiseman for making his stuff so inaccessible for so long.

[videographer]

I was fortunate to see Wiseman's "Zoo" the other day and also "Meat" which I hadn't seen in years. He is able to somehow not need wider distribution.

[soitgoes...]

I was fortunate to see Wiseman's "Zoo" the other day and also "Meat" which I hadn't seen in years. He is able to somehow not need wider distribution.I just watched Meat last night. I think Franju handled the slaughterhouse part better, but overall Wiseman's film is better. Seeing the whole process from buying the cows to selling the meat to slaughter to packaging was interesting. I kept thinking how much more hard-hitting a film about the meat packing industry would be if we followed one cow from birth to death. Personalizing it would make for a much more emotional experience. I have Zoo and Titicut Follies ready to be watched too. I'm looking forward to what more Wiseman has to say.

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

Yes, I hear you. I'm not criticizing his family, I'm criticizing him for his decisions. I'm also critical of Frederick Wiseman for making his stuff so inaccessible for so long.

Then Wiseman puts out his films this year on DVD-R's. :frustrated:

[balmakboor]

Then Wiseman puts out his films this year on DVD-R's. :frustrated:

Yeh, and the reviews have been pretty savage -- at least the few I've read.