BLACKOUT

by Martin ARNOLD
2024 / color / sound / 1S / 7' 50

FLUIDS
IN TINSELTOWN
BACKGROUND CHECK

The term “blackout” originally comes from the theater world and refers to an abrupt switching off of the spotlights, which was either used as a dramaturgical effect to emphasize a punchline or simply helped when arranging a scene or changing the scenery. It’s no surprise that it was later adapted for the spaces of the so-called “Lichtspiele” (in German, a synonym for movie theatre).

What does it mean when the background is no longer visible? What does a background erasure mean compared to a free-form select of the foreground? And is there a complete erasure of the background at all, or are traces always left behind that can at least be guessed at?

In my blackouts you can still see cats twitching, mice spitting, and Marilyn looking down from the starry sky. In English we speak of events taking up space (“take place”), but what happens when the space is not a place, so to speak, but an empty space? A black hole.
FLUIDS has echoes of elements from Christian iconography; IN TINSELTOWN is a compliment to the MeToo movement; and BACKGROUND CHECK reminds me of juvenile athletic competitions. (Martin Arnold)

2 PRINTS IN DISTRIBUTION


distribution format Digital file on server (FHD)
screen 16/9 (single screen)
speed 24 fps
sound sound
rental fee 40,00 €

distribution format DCP on server (SMPTE 2K)
screen 16/9 (single screen)
speed 24 fps
sound sound
rental fee 40,00 €