Visual Variations on Noguchi

A voice occasionally says a word or two: "on the sidewalk" or "lithium" or a woman's name. A hand-held camera frames parts of sculptures, or moves across their surfaces, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly, almost always in close-up. The soundtrack, in addition to the voice, is discordant music. Light and shadows are paramount. Sometimes the camera repeats up and down movements; once, a set of jump cuts brings an object closer. The music can be shrill in contrast to the sculptures. Almost entirely of wood, they are the work of Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988): Abstract, usually smooth and rounded (but not always).

Strange Days

Strange Days

1995

Desert Hearts

Desert Hearts

1985

The Science of Sleep

The Science of Sleep

2006

Beyond Silence

Beyond Silence

1996

Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams

Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams

2006

Bollywood/Hollywood

Bollywood/Hollywood

2002

Longing

Longing

2006

My Life Without Me

My Life Without Me

2003

Land Without Bread

Land Without Bread

1933

Open Hearts

Open Hearts

2002

Italian for Beginners

Italian for Beginners

2000

Bend It Like Beckham

Bend It Like Beckham

2002

36 Fillette

36 Fillette

1988

Monsoon Wedding

Monsoon Wedding

2001

National Theatre Live: War Horse

National Theatre Live: War Horse

2014

El triunfo

El triunfo

2006

Iris

Iris

2004

My Own Breathing

My Own Breathing

2000

L for Loser

L for Loser

2021

Cléo from 5 to 7

Cléo from 5 to 7

1962

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