“Amazing” were the unprompted words of the people spilling down the stairwell of the West Bottoms Loft as I climbed them for the 2nd show of Night Moves, last Saturday night. Having made a the effort to be sure I was at this spot that night along with talking two like minded designers into joining me, for something I knew little more than it was supposed to be a happening, those were promising words.

The event was billed as performance art, music, dance, art exhibit, fashion show and opera all inspired by the 1979 architectural renderings of Bertrand Goldberg. It centered on a two night showing at Foundation, an architectural reclamation center (store) of Goldberg’s original renderings. Patrick Ottesen, the evenings host, organizer and Foundation’s main man was the proud owner of this collection of a never built adult wonderland in Orlando. The intricately detailed rapidiograph inked drawings were the backdrop for a performance by Los Angeles’ String Theory Production. Described on the Foundation’s web site as an avant-garde ensemble that transforms architecture into giant musical instruments, creating a unique landscape to each installation and performance.

Indeed it was amazing, I wished I’d brought a bus load of people. String Theory were a visual and sonic journey outside of what we normally expect. Having worked with clients who were avant-garde dance and chamber ensembles I have great respect for these collaborative events that intertwine the disciplines, and even more for those artists that are devoted to that mission. Bravo

The Janus Film festival at the Tivioli Cinema, in Manor Square has been a rare treat, eight films from the Janus Film Vaults, served up on the big screen. Janus was the preeminent U. S. distributor of foreign and classic films. This past weeks was Buñuel’s, Viridiana.

It was the archetypal of art films of it’s day, populated with a motley crew of beggars, dwarfs, and the beautiful Viridiana. Filled with iconographic symbols that resonate so well in black and white it was a visual feast to watch on the big theatre screen. Buñels iconic crescendo builds to a fever pitch in a visual pun on the Last Super as the motley crew, left to their own devices run amok in the absence of their fair haired keeper. It is a morality tale turned on it’s head, quite reflective of today’s cultural it must have been a shocker in 1961. Financed by the Franco government who sought to woo Buñuel back to the cultural bosom of his homeland after years in exile it was banned upon release.

To be honest I initially thought it somewhat heavy handed and tame for it’s controversial plot line. But it was competing in my mind with the Seventh Seal from two weeks ago. Tough competition. It too, is a bit heavy handed and of it’s time. Though it was easier to overlook authenticity or the not so subtle art directed metaphors in it’s ambitious recreation of the black plague.

Both of these were the art films of their day (1961 and 1957) and with my parents bohemian leanings these films were woven into the culture of my childhood in such a manner that their symbolism and iconography seem like part of my own memory. I was reminded that, that was an age of great filmmaking. And by odd coincidence I turned on the tv a few days later to Elmer Gantry, also 1961. Amazing storytelling with messages that stuck with you.

Here the full Janus Festival list
Wild Strawberries
September 11 - 7:00pm

Smiles of a Summer Night
September 18 - 7:00pm

The Seventh Seal
September 25 - 7:00pm

Day of Wrath
October 2 - 7:00pm

Viridiana
October 9 - 7:00pm

Earrings of Madame De
October 16 - 7:00pm

400 Blows
October 30 - 7:00pm

WR Mysteries of the Organism
November 6 - 7:00pm