Current Shot 01
At first glance everything seems motionless. A street, passers-by, a sunset, all accompanied by electronic humming: Current Shot 01 by Stefan Kushima and Philippe Gerlach consists of a single 15-minute shot. The picture is framed by the upper bodies of two people looking into the light of the setting sun. The camera is positioned behind these two figures. In the center of the picture a single figure can be made out, next to it a group, whose shadows fuse together. None of the faces are discernible, and they all transform into silhouettes, with a yellowish light from the sinking sun shining above them. In the background are factory smokestacks that underline the uncertain nature of the landscape: Is this an urban wasteland somewhere in Canada or a suburban street in Linz´s Urfahr?
But the apparent stillness of the shot turns out to be deceptive: While no movement can be seen, the figures´ shadows have changed, and a third suddenly leaves the cluster it formed with the other two. As a result of the extreme slow motion, this slight movement can only be recognized after the fact. Like a picture puzzle where you have to look for the differences, the detail oscillates between animated photography, film still and tableau vivant. And precisely this suggestiveness makes Current Shot 01 so fascinating: the slightly weird impression that result when faceless figures - motionless and then in motion - start looking at you..
(Alexandra Seibel)
translation: Steve Wilder
"Current Shot 01"; texte française
Mais lapparente fixité du plan savère trompeuse. Sans quon nait pu déceler le moindre mouvement, les ombres des personnages ont soudain changé, du groupe de deux personnes enchevêtrées se détache tout dune coup un troisième personnage. Du fait du super-ralenti poussé à lextrême, cet infime mouvement nest perceptible qua posteriori. Comme une énigme-photo dans laquelle il faut trouver lerreur, le plan hésite entre photographie animée, plan arrêté et tableau vivant. Et cest bien cette force suggestive qui fait toute la fascination de "Current Shot 01" : limpression légèrement inquiétante qui vous gagne quand, dans un tableau, des objets sans visage, immobiles mais non sans mouvement, se mettent à vous regarder. (Alexandra Seibel)
Traduction: Claude Manach
Current Shot 01
2007
Austria
14 min