PRESS RELEASE
What is an artist’s film?
Basquiat - McDermott & McGough - Schnabel
MEETING HOUSE SQUARE, TEMPLE BAR, DUBLIN 6, 7 JULY 2004 at 10.30PM
Temple Bar Outdoors: outside visual arts is delighted to present three films by and/or about a group of New York artists who helped to define a period in the American contemporary visual arts. The artists and films: Julian Schnabel’s BASQUIAT, McDermott & McGough’s ALICE CAMPBELL’S HOLLYWOOD, 1938 and DOWNTOWN 81 starring Jean Michel Basquiat were selected in an attempt to explore the idea of ‘what is an artist’s film?’ The films will be screened in the outdoor projection space of Meeting House Square on 6 and 7 of July at 10.30pm.
The three films selected for screening over the two days – one short, two features- have been chosen not only for each one’s individual contribution, but collectively to illustrate a story- a story that is hoped will have resonance with the Irish public.
Jean Michel Basquiat [1960-1988] was 19 years old when he played the lead part of a young artist in the feature film DOWNTOWN 81 [1981/2000] - a film that vividly depicts the explosive downtown New York art and music scene of 1980-81. The cast includes artists and musicians who were on the scene at the time: Deborah Harry, Kid Creole, Arto Lindsay’s DNA and Jack White and the Blacks. Although relatively unknown outside of this world, Basquiat was an influential member from within; the part was written for him using his own art, music, and poetry as its central core. His own fame came shortly after - within two years, he was on his way to becoming one of the most recognised and important artists of the late 20th Century.
In contrast, Julian Schnabel’s directorial and co-writing debut, BASQUIAT [1996] is his personal vision of the artist’s meteoric but emotionally short-lived life. Casting well- known actors/musicians to portray real-life players of the time: including David Bowie as Andy Warhol ; Dennis Hopper as art dealer, Bruno Bischofberger; and Gary Oldman as Schnabel; and shooting in authentic downtown locations, Schnabel’s film beautifully portrays the doubts and fears felt by Basquiat as only an artist intimately involved with the period could.
While not as well known as Basquiat and Schnabel were, McDermott & McGough, nonetheless, played an influential part in defining this time. Primarily known for their painting and photography, they made their first short film in 1993 titled, ALICE CAMPBELL’S HOLLYWOOD, 1938. The film depicts a series of screen tests which, as explained by the artists, a screen test is a step below a short subject. Similar to their approach to photography where they ‘test’ the camera, their film is a result of ‘testing’ the motion picture camera. It premiered in the Whitney Biennial in 1995. Featured in the film are Lola and Stella Schnabel.
While all three films vastly differ: on budgets / production values; distribution means / audiences - at the core of each is the artist(s) and the work. In addition, there is one subtle visual link- or possibly not so subtle for those who know him – formerly the artist about New York City, now of Dublin, Mr. David McDermott of McDermott & McGough performs with great aplomb in all three films – quintessentially himself. outside visual arts is curated by aileen corkery
What is an artist’s film? Basquiat - McDermott & McGough - Schnabel
MEETING HOUSE SQUARE, TEMPLE BAR, DUBLIN
PROGRAMME: Tuesday, 6 July, 10.30pm Wednesday, 7 July, 10.30pm ALICE CAMPBELL’S HOLLYWOOD, 1938 BASQUIAT DOWNTOWN 81
ADMISSION: Free and ticketed. Tickets available from Temple Bar Information Centre from Mon. 28 June.
CREDIT NOTES:
ALICE CAMPBELL’S HOLLYWOOD, 1938 [1993; 20minutes; 16mm, b/w] Written and directed by McDermott & McGough Produced by McDermott & McGough Cast includes: Lola and Stella Schnabel, Zena Scharf and McDermott & McGough
DOWNTOWN 81 [1981/2000 ; 72 minutes; 35mm; colour] Directed by Ego Bertoglio Written by Glenn O’Brien Produced and art directed by Maripol Executive Producer: Michael Zilkha Cast includes: Jean Michel Basquiat, Deborah Harry, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Arto Lindsay’s DNA, James White and the Blacks and David McDermott Soundtrack includes: Jean Michel Basquiat’s Gray; John Lurie; Arto Lindsay’s DNA; The Plastics; Tuxedo Moon; The Specials; Chris Stein; Kid Creole and the Coconuts; James White and the Blacks; and Vincent Gallo.
BASQUIAT [1996; 108 minutes; 35mm; colour] Directed by Julian Schnabel Co-written by Lech Majewski, John F. Bowe and Julian Schnabel Produced by Peter Brant, Joseph Allen, and Michiyo Yoshizaki Original Music by: John Cale, PJ Harvey [song] and Julian Schnabel Cast includes: Jeffery Wright, Benicio Del Toro, David Bowie, Dennis Hopper, Michael Wincott, Christopher Walken, Gary Oldman, William Dafoe, Parker Posey, Courtney Love, Tatum O’Neal, Vincent Gallo, Lola and Stella Schnabel and McDermott & McGough
For further information, contact Annete Nugent/ Roisin McCarthy at Temple Bar Properties