The Loom

16mm, color, silent, 42.5 min
scans not available
A multiple-superimposition hand-painted visual symphony of animal life on earth. THE LOOM might be compared to musical quartet-form ( as there are almost always 4 superimposed pictures), but the complexity ...
Rental format: 16mm

About

A multiple-superimposition hand-painted visual symphony of animal life on earth. THE LOOM might be compared to musical quartet-form ( as there are almost always 4 superimposed pictures), but the complexity of texture, mulipicity of tone, and the variety of inter-related rhythms suggest symphonic dimensions. The film is very inspired by George Melies: the animals exist (in Jane's enclosure) as on a stage, their inter-relationships edited to the disciplines of dance, so therefore one might say this film hardly represents animal life on earth; but I would argue that this work at least epitomizes theatrical nature, magical creature, and is the outside limit, to date, of my art in that respect. (The balance of light was so perfectly realized in making the neg. of this print that I wish to credit Western Cine Lab's timer Loise Fujiki as creative collaborator in the accomplishment of this work.) A deceptively simple film, this strikes me as the strongest, most ambitious non-narrative Stan Brakhage has made since THE TEXT OF LIGHT. Although plotless, THE LOOM is doubly theatrical performance. Its stars are scurrying animals in an enclosure and the film-maker's subtly sensational use of multiple super-imposition. – J. Hoberman, Village Voice, 1/21-27/87

Films

  • Other films by this artist in our catalogue

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    Gnir Rednow
    Experimental

    Gnir Rednow
    Stan Brakhage

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    Desistfilm
    Experimental

    Desistfilm
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 7 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    In Between
    Experimental

    In Between
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, sound, 9.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Reflections on Black
    Experimental

    Reflections on Black
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 12 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    The Way to Shadow Garden
    Experimental

    The Way to Shadow Garden
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 10 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    The Wonder Ring
    Experimental

    The Wonder Ring
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 4 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Loving
    Experimental

    Loving
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 4 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Nightcats
    Experimental

    Nightcats
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 8 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Daybreak & Whiteye
    Experimental

    Daybreak & Whiteye
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 8 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Anticipation of the Night
    Experimental

    Anticipation of the Night
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 40 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Window Water Baby Moving
    Experimental

    Window Water Baby Moving
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 12 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Body
    • Biography / Autobiography
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    Wedlock House: An Intercourse
    Experimental

    Wedlock House: An Intercourse
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, silent, 11 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Sirius Remembered
    Experimental

    Sirius Remembered
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 10.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Cat's Cradle
    Experimental

    Cat's Cradle
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 6 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Spiritual / Mystical
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    The Dead
    Experimental

    The Dead
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 11 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Centuries of June
    Experimental

    Centuries of June
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 10 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Landscape / Architecture
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
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    Thigh Line Lyre Triangular
    Experimental

    Thigh Line Lyre Triangular
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 9 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Prelude: Dog Star Man
    Experimental

    Prelude: Dog Star Man
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 25 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Films by Stan Brakhage: An Avant-Garde Home Movie
    Experimental

    Films by Stan Brakhage: An Avant-Garde Home Movie
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 3.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Blue Moses
    Experimental
    Narrative

    Blue Moses
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 10.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Spiritual / Mystical
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    Dog Star Man: Part I
    Experimental
    Narrative

    Dog Star Man: Part I
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 30 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Philosophical
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
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    Dog Star Man: Part II
    Experimental

    Dog Star Man: Part II
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 5.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Environment / Nature
    • Arts / Artists
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    Mothlight
    Experimental

    Mothlight
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 4 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Environment / Nature
    • Hand-Processed
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    Oh Life—A Woe Story—The A Test News
    Experimental

    Oh Life—A Woe Story—The A Test News
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, silent, 5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Dog Star Man (Complete)
    Experimental

    Dog Star Man (Complete)
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 75 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Philosophical
    • Landscape / Architecture
    • Environment / Nature
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
    • Family
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    Dog Star Man: Part III
    Experimental

    Dog Star Man: Part III
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 7.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Environment / Nature
    • Family
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    Dog Star Man: Part IV
    Experimental

    Dog Star Man: Part IV
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 6 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • History
    • Philosophical
    • Spiritual / Mystical
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    3 Films: Blue White/Bloodstone/Vein
    Experimental

    3 Films: Blue White/Bloodstone/Vein
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 8 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • History
    • Children / Youth
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    Black Vision
    Experimental

    Black Vision
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 2.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Psychology / Mental Health
    • Philosophical
    • Environment / Nature
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
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    Fire of Waters
    Experimental

    Fire of Waters
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, black and white, sound, 10 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Pasht
    Experimental

    Pasht
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Environment / Nature
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    Two: Creeley/McClure
    Experimental

    Two: Creeley/McClure
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Philosophical
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
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    Zone Moment
    Experimental

    Zone Moment
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, sound, 3 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 1
    Documentary
    Experimental

    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 1
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 24.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Psychology / Mental Health
    • Philosophical
    • Personal / Diary / Journal
    • Children / Youth
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    My Mountain: Song 27
    Experimental

    My Mountain: Song 27
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 24.25 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    The Horseman, The Woman And The Moth
    Experimental

    The Horseman, The Woman And The Moth
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 19 min
    Rental format: 16mm
    • Hand-Processed
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    My Mountain: Song 27: Part 2: Rivers
    Experimental

    My Mountain: Song 27: Part 2: Rivers
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 32.75 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 2
    Experimental

    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 2
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 40 min
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    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 3
    Experimental

    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 3
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 27.5 min
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    The Weir-Falcon Saga
    Experimental

    The Weir-Falcon Saga
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 29 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    The Animals of Eden and After
    Experimental

    The Animals of Eden and After
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 35 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Eyes
    Experimental

    Eyes
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 35.5 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    The Machine of Eden
    Experimental

    The Machine of Eden
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 11 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 4
    Experimental

    Scenes From Under Childhood: Section No. 4
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 46 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Sexual Meditation: #1 Motel
    Experimental

    Sexual Meditation: #1 Motel
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 7 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Door
    Experimental

    Door
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 3.75 min
    Rental format: 16mm
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    Fox Fire Child Watch
    Experimental

    Fox Fire Child Watch
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 3 min
    Rental format: 16mm
  • Read More
    Sexual Meditation: Room with View
    Experimental

    Sexual Meditation: Room with View
    Stan Brakhage

    16mm, color, silent, 3 min
    Rental format: 16mm