The Transmutation of Light Alchemy & Cinema

Course unit code:

311MTOL

Course unit title:

Mode of delivery:

zápočet

Range:

29/S

Type of course unit:

Study plan Animovaná tvorba - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Dokumentární tvorba - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Dokumentární tvorba - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Animovaná tvorba - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Scenáristika a dramaturgie - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Scenáristika a dramaturgie - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Režie - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Režie - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Kamera - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Kamera - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Produkce - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Produkce - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Audiovizuální studia - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Střihová skladba - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Střihová skladba - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Zvuková tvorba - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Zvuková tvorba - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Fotografie CZ - bakalář – optional subject
Study plan Fotografie CZ - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Audiovizuální studia - magistr – compulsory optional subject
Study plan Fotografie CZ - magistr: restaurování – compulsory optional subject

Level of course unit:

Year of study

předmět nemá určen ročník studia

Semester when the course unit is delivered

letní

Number of ECTS credits allocated:

Garant předmětu:

Jitka HEJTMANOVÁ

Name of lecturer(s):

Jitka HEJTMANOVÁ

Study Objectives:

In this intensive, multi-disciplinary course we will explore the ancient art of alchemy and its reflections and refractions in the art of cinema.

Mode of delivery:

Seminar, workshop, excursions

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

Recommended optional programme components

Course contents:

Date and time: Thursday, Feb 24 in FAMU projection room (4 pm - 7 pm),

Friday - Saturday, Feb 25 - 26 (10 am - 1 pm, 2 pm - 5 pm)

Thursday, March 17 (6 pm - 9 pm), Friday - Saturday, March 18 - 19 (10 am - 1 pm, 2 pm - 5 pm)

Unless mentions otherwise always in Room no 1

Through viewing and discussing a range of alchemically resonant moving-image works, and making our own 'laboratory' investigations into the elements of cinema (time, light, shadow, movement, sound...), we will combine theory and practice to reveal an alchemical approach to art-making in which transformations occur through an imaginative participation with matter. Trajectories of inquiry will include: tracing the entwined histories of alchemy and cinema; the alchemical approach to nature; a survey of Mala Strana's alchemical house signs; the amalgamation of analog and digital cinematic techniques; contemplative experiments; dream logic in alchemical imagery and surrealist film; and explorations of both 'direct filmmaking' and 'expanded cinema' where film emulsions and the moment of projection become sites of transmutation. Using moving pictures to shed light upon 'the secret art', and hermetic philosophy and methodology as keys to unlock the deeper meanings of films, we shall explore alchemy by way of cinema and cinema by way of alchemy.

Study materials:

Screenings & Readings

Our investigations into the intersection of alchemy & cinema will be illuminated by a selection of short experimental films and excerpts from feature films and documentaries including works by Georges Melies, Maya Deren, Stan Brakhage, Susan Derges, Semiconductor, Jurgen Reble, silt, Kerry Laitala, Jan Svankmajer, Quay Brothers, Bradly Eros & Jennie Liotta, Andrei Tarkovsky Jean Painleve, Harry Smith, and Artur Aristakisyan.

A selection of readings including texts by Scott MacDonald, Nathaniel Dorsky, Morris Berman, Carl Jung, Frances Yates, Theodore Roszak, Mircea Eliade, Paracelsus, Salomon Trismosin, and Hermes Trismegistus, will help provide our study with a philosophical foundation.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Assessment methods and criteria

4 credits both modules together, 100% attendance and practical assignments.

Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and in-class 'labs' (direct filmmaking, re-photography, dream machine construction, etc). In addition, students will create and screen one short film or video work

Language of instruction:

English

Work placement(s):

Pracovní stáž není u tohoto předmětu zavedena.

Course web page:

Note:

Class Schedule (subject to revision)

Thursday, Feb 24

Evening

Introduction and screening.

Georges Melies, Maya Deren, Stan Brakhage, silt, alchemy documentary.

Friday, Feb 25

Morning

History of Alchemy & Cinema

Direct Filmmaking - screening and in-class 'lab'.

Harry Smith, Kerry Laitala, ...

Afternoon

The Alchemical Contemplation of Nature

screening and discussion

Semiconductor, Susan Derges, silt, Jean Painleve, Claude Nuridsany &

Marie Pérennou...

Saturday, Feb 26

Morning

Expanded Cinema

screening and in-class 'lab'

combining digital and analog techniques, re-photography, live cinema

Luis Recoder & Sandra Gibson, Keith Evans, Ken & Flo Jakobs...

Afternoon

Prima Materia & The Philosopher's Stone

Jack Chambers, Nathanial Dorsky(?)

Discuss Shooting Assignment

Thursday, March 17

Evening

Screening of Student Films & Videos

Friday, March 18

Morning

Dream logic in Alchemical Imagery

Carl Jung's Alchemical Studies

Alchemy, Surrealism & Dream - Screening / slides

Hans Richter, Remedios Varo, Max Ernst, Leonora Carrington, Toyen,

Jinrich Styrsky, Jan Svankmajer, Bros. Quay...

Afternoon

Dreamachine as an Alchemical Cinematic Sculpture - Screening

Brion Gysin, Bradley Eros & Jeanne Liotta, Nick Sheehan, William

Buroughs/Anthony Balch

Dream Machine construction lab

Saturday, March 19

Morning

Excursion: Alchemical Pilgrimage through Mala Strana (to Hvezda?)

Afternoon

Conclusion

Discussion & Screening

Artur Aristakisyan, Jurgen Reble

Biogaphy

Born in San Francisco, California, Christian Farrell has been living

in his wife's hometown of Cesky Krumlov in South Bohemia, Czech

Republic off and on since 1998. As a member of the cinema

collaborative silt, Christian's films, installations, and performances

have been shown throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia at venues

including the Whitney Biennial, Sundance Film Festival, New York MOMA,

San Francisco International Film Festival, and the Rotterdam Film

Festival. He holds degrees in both Film and Philosophy/Religion and

has been teaching courses which chart the territory of his overlapping

fields of interest since 2001.

Further information:

This course is an elective for all students of this school

Schedule for winter semester 2010/2011:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2010/2011:

	06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
Tue
Fri
Thu
Fri

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

Animovaná tvorba - bakalář (optional subject)
Dokumentární tvorba - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Dokumentární tvorba - bakalář (optional subject)
Animovaná tvorba - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Scenáristika a dramaturgie - bakalář (optional subject)
Scenáristika a dramaturgie - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Režie - bakalář (optional subject)
Režie - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Kamera - bakalář (optional subject)
Kamera - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Produkce - bakalář (optional subject)
Produkce - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Audiovizuální studia - bakalář (optional subject)
Střihová skladba - bakalář (optional subject)
Střihová skladba - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Zvuková tvorba - bakalář (optional subject)
Zvuková tvorba - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Fotografie CZ - bakalář (optional subject)
Fotografie CZ - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Audiovizuální studia - magistr (faculty subject, optional subject)
Fotografie CZ - magistr: restaurování (faculty subject, optional subject)