I'M SO BEHIND.....

   I finally looked at this page today. As I've been doing a LOT of video constructions lately. But I still haven't updated this page with all those wonderful entries. I've been doing videos on Ronnie Landfield, A short video I made in Joseph Marioni's studio many years back when I had been actively working on the video series. And a few videos on the Guy on the Bike... Loren Munk aka James Kalm. Including one I made the day of his opening at Freight and Volume Gallery in NYC on icy cold February evening.

More are definitely on the way.

   The next set of films I shall be editing are on the historian, critic, and curator. The legendary Karen Wilkin, in her NYC home. The story behind visiting her is a funny one. I had been in the process of doing my first run of interviews around NYC that week. I had made appointments with Painter Pat Steir and Karen on the same day. I figured it wouldn't be all that difficult since Karen lives close to Joseph Marioni and I could easily walk back to his place, where I had been staying during this trip. I didn't take into account how HEAVY my camera bags were at the time and how they would hurt by the end of that day from sitting on my shoulders. I definitely didn't think about getting a bag with rollers on it, nor did I have the funds to buy one at that time. SO I dug in and made the first trip to Pat's by way of the subway. Thankfully all I needed that day was the Blue line of the A, C, and E, trains. Just a short trip down to 25th street station and a bit of walking to the other side of Chelsea. I had never been in a building like the one her studio is in. Everything was big sized so each occupant could easily move things in and out. I got up to her floor and like just about everything of that trip, I immediately got lost. I saw a number that matched hers, and knocked. A fella answered and told me it was the room next door. He has a photo studio. Typical of photo studios, everything was white and clean as a whistle. Made me jealous. 

   I went next door and her assistant let me in and greeted me so nicely. Brought me into the studio of GIANT paintings of her "waterfalls", She has been developing her way of pouring paint down the surface of the canvas which gives way to veils of color and lots of movement. She had been working on paintings I think I may have seen later at her Gallery. My mind was truly blown taking in these statements of movement and energy. UNFORTUNATELY, her assistant told me the bad news that I wouldn't be able to interview her that day. The particulars shall stay between us. I did however speak to her and she told me what had happened. It was definitely a crazy day for her. 

   I couldn't stay long enough for us to meet and hang for a bit. I politely said good-bye and grabbed my bags and put them on my shoulders again and began the trip of getting out of that building. Once I had made it back to the street, I walked down to the end of the street and said FUCK IT, I'm gonna take a cab up to Karen's. After a few minutes of waiting, I made the decision to just struggle and get my butt to the subway station. Once back up to the 35th street station I made my way over to Karen's place, and was so happy to finally be visiting someone that had many major ties to many of my favorite painters. Once inside Karen's place, she was so happy to see me and we immediately began chatting like a couple people that had known each other for a year. I decided as I wanted to film everyone with the light in their homes, for her I had decided to do everything with my 1.4F stop lens which let's in so much light. I had actually been able to use it for about half of our interview before it got too dark. I now wish I had more of the ME that is today to talk with her as I'm so much better at just chatting with people these days. I think my questions were pretty decent and they led to more talking between us.

   You can see the few that are up there now, and wait till I've got a new video uploaded. Should be in the next couple days. For now, click the link and come and enjoy these great interviews.

Have a great day!

Jeffrey Collins

 

 

Who's Afraid of Red Yellow and Blue...The Documentary.

I have been working on this documentary for over a year now. Getting ready to make my second November filming trip to NYC. November 2011 was the first NYC filming trip I made. During that visit, I got to interview Peter Reginato, Karen Wilkin, John Zinsser, and Klaus Kertess. I got to meet Pat Steir (we had to make a raincheck for another day), and Ronnie Landfield (whom I interviewed on the next trip to NYC in April of 2012).

I feel amazing to have gotten this far with the film and am happy to share with you a recent trailer I made to show to some prospective funders. I know that in the future I'll be making a second version of the trailer, but this is with what I have right now.



I hope you enjoy it. As I was working on the trailer, I finally came up with the name for the documentary. If you know me, you know I was thinking of calling it Painters Painting Two....or maybe Too. Kinda cheesy, but hey I couldn't come up with much better. After working on the trailer a bit I was just thinking about it while waiting for sleep. Suddenly I thought of the title 'Birth Of Venus' or maybe Re-Birth...but that sounded more like a sculpture film. I thought the idea of naming it after a famous painting could be a possible good idea. Almost immediately the name flashed in my mind.

WHO'S AFRAID OF RED YELLOW AND BLUE

One of the many great titles for paintings that one of my absolute favorite painters Barnett Newman gave to his work. But it also rang true with what I felt I was trying to accomplish with this film. To give a sense that even 60 years later, people are still (to use the analogy) afraid or abstract modern art. And I hope with this film that it will give people a much needed eye into the world of these people, which will inevitably give people more insight than before into the world of Non-representational painting and sculpture. As I do have Peter Reginato, an amazing sculptor in the film and am in the process of interviewing Forrest 'Frosty' Myers for the film too. I didn't want to give the film an overtly painting type title.

I am about to make another trip for filming next month and have had much help from some amazing people to allow me to make this film. I have a donation button below if you would like to help out. It will allow you to put in any amount of funds you would be willing to donate. And if you are really willing, I am working on a referral plan where if you guide people to the site and they too donate (while giving your name in the comment box). Depending on how much you are able to bring in, I can offer some amazing footage of any or ALL of the participants being sent to you on DVD's after the release of the film. You can learn more about it here.

Thanks for all your help. Remember, you helped make this happen. With all your donations, and all your praise and just getting in touch to let me know you are happy about what I'm working on.

Cheers.
Jeffrey Collins
Director (and all the other stuff too!)

Kickstarter Campaign is LIVE!!!

I have finally gotten the project ready for this phase of the film. I am very proud of what I have accomplished so far, and need your help to get to the next phase till the finish. You can really grasp all I have been working on and all the time I have been desiring to do this documentary.

Have a look...

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/105716108/untitled-conversations-on-art-1970-2012-documentar

And THANKS for your help.

Jeffrey

Clip of Curator Karen Wilkin speaking about Jules Olitski.