DMS@50+

Canonical works by legendary makers; and highlights from a rich and eclectic media art archive, encompassing a storied past. This inaugural installment of DMS@50+ (University at Buffalo’s Department of Media Study's 50th Anniversary Celebration) features work by faculty from the 'Buffalo Heads’ era (1973-1990) – Steina Vasulka + Woody Vasulka, t0ny Conrad, Gerald O'Grady, Peter Weibel, James Blue, Paul Sharits, and Hollis Frampton! 76 minutes.

Please note that this program contains strobe + flicker effects.

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“Media Study / Buffalo’s First Report to NYSCA”

Gerry O’Grady (Dir), 2 minutes, analog to digital video, 1970

The introduction to a 10-part video produced and narrated by Gerry O’Grady that describes the activities of Media Study / Buffalo to a committee of funders. Excerpt courtesy of Visual Studies Workshop, Rochester NY.

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“Straight and Narrow”

Tony Conrad + Beverly Conrad (Dir), 10 minutes, 16mm film to digital video, 1970.

Straight and Narrow is a study of subjective colour and visual rhythm. The hypnotic alternations of black and white lines will cause most viewers to experience a programmed gamut of hallucinatory colour effects. Music by Terry Riley and John Cale.

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“The School at Rincon Santo”

James Blue (Dir), 11 minutes, 16mm transferred to digital video, 1962

Never has the building of a school meant more to a community. One of four documentaries that Blue made for the U.S. Information Agency to help promote democracy abroad.

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"James Blue" (Film-Makers excerpt)

UB's Center for Media Study (UB CMS) Buffalo (Dir), 3 minutes, 16mm transferred to digital video, 1976

Gerry O’Grady (Host + Producer) interviews James Blue about his film-work, career, and more for his Film-Makers Show. A 13-episode show that aired on and was produced by UB's Center for Media Study / UB CMS (now UB DMS) in partnership with WNED Buffalo in 1976.

Please note that this excerpt is presented out of context, and was included to put a face to the voiceovers (including “The School at Rincon Santo”), w/ content used in reference here to this larger DMS@50+ program.

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“Noisefeilds”

Steina Vasulka + Woody Vasulka (Dir), 11 minutes, analog to digital video, 1974

A formal exploration of the analog video signal, and experimentation in color and shape variation, pulsing between an inner and outer fields.

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“Vocabulary”

Woody Vasulka (Dir), 5 minutes, analog to digital video, 1973

Vocabulary, writes Vasulka, is "designed to convey in a didactic form the basic energy laws in electronic imaging." Here a hand, as a metaphor for expression and gesture, and a sphere that symbolizes form, are processed with a keyer, colorizer and scan processor. (EAI)

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“A So Desu Ka”

Steina Vasulka (Dir), 10 minutes, analog to digital video, 1993

Signal manipulation applied to scenes of ordinary life in Japan.

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“Bad”

Steina Vasulka (Dir), 2 minutes, analog to digital video, 1979

“A play on a computer performance. By a simple command: 'add one', the machine scrambles for its pictorial and tonal expressions, succeeding at random." (Steina)

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“Sex in the City”

Peter Weibel + Hotel Morphila Orchester (Dir), 5 minutes, analog to digital video, 1980

An artworld music video breakout into the home, exploring a new pop culture phenomena w/ the potential to democratize access. Public/private art.

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“The Endless Sandwich”

Peter Weibel (Dir), 2 minutes, analog to digital video, 1972

Before there were remotes or streaming apps, viewers got up out of their chairs to disrupt the relentless flow of televisual images.

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“Lemon”

Hollis Frampton (Dir), 8 minutes, 16mm film transferred to digital video, 1969

Still life in motion.

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“Piece Mandala / End War"

Paul Sharits (Dir), 5 minutes, 16mm transferred to digital video, silent, 1966

Repetition, interruption, alteration, and variation produce a progression of psychological effects that “merge violence with purity,” according to film critic P. Adams Sitney.

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*Following the screening, there will be cupcakes and a brief discussion about the year-long event and ways for YOU to get involved in DMS@50+. *

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This event is sponsored by the University at Buffalo’s Department of Media Study (UB DMS), curated by Anna Scime and Laura Kraning, and produced with the generosity and assistance of the Visual Studies Workshop, Berg Contemporary, Anthology Film Archives, The Internet Archive, Burchfield Penney Art Center, Christopher Sharits, Don Metz, Tara Nelson, Peer Bode, Rebekkah Palov, James Pardue, Michael Bouquard, Mark Shepard, and Paige Sarlin.