He is invited to accompany a group of primatologists and ethnologists while they research the habits of primates and their interaction with the humans. The primates research and the art project are directly intertwined because they both utilize an act of observation as an important research method.
Multi-channel film installation opens new insights into the potential of observational cinema and observational filmmaking methods which are focused on grasping direct, lived and real time experience. Observational films are also focused on the experiences of the subjects, openly capturing and representing the relationship between the filmmaker and the subjects.
The project by Emanuel Mathias unveils several different observational positions (primatologists, ethnologists, apes, locals, camera operators, artist) that are mutually dependent and in constant interaction. In that sense the film offers multiple points of view parallelly present during the fieldwork research. This method enhances the viewers immersion in the position taking process that’s being constantly negotiated during the research. In order to catch the action on the run the gaze of the viewer is shifted and redirected so as to discover variety of perspectives on different events. The viewer is therefore asked to actively engage his gaze and fill the unmediated space of the film. It is exactly the act of showing (so vividly present in the observational cinema) that enables fluidity and ambiguity of actions presented (most of the time without commentary). Avoiding mediation actually allows the spectators to draw their own conclusions and interpretations.
The project also uncovers moments of self-observation which openly question filmmakers act of observing and behaving among the rest of the research team. The role of artist is recognized just as equal as any other role in the film and is frequently present as the one being observed too. Throughout the flm we are continually confronted by various levels of revelations and disclosures that speak directly about the backstage (weather it’s the backstage of the filmmaking process or the backstage of the scientific research).
Exhibition is organized in partnership with ETNOFILm festival and Faro11.
Exhibition is supported by City of Zagreb and ETNOFILm festival.
