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Media Arts Preview: Young Directors, Sculptural Poetry, Cuban Culture

By Holly Willis
March 8, 2012
Support Provided By
Lisa Mann

Animation figures prominently this week in L.A.'s media art scene, with a festival, feature film and more...

Thursday, March 8
The Echo Park Film Center presents Kamerapferd, a filmmaking collaborative that combines the talents of filmmakers Stephan Müller and Erik Schmitt. The duo has worked together for two years and is currently in L.A. for an artist's residency during which they will work on several new projects. Tonight, at 8:00 p.m., they will screen some of their work, including the award-winning short Now Follows.

Dos Rombos

The third iteration of the Los Angeles Animation Festivalkicked off last night, but tonight you can catch a screening of Akira, as well as Dos Rombos, a collection of funny and erotic films by women. The festival continues through Sunday, with a terrific line-up of new and historic work. Friday, March 9
NewTown and Side Street Projects present Untamed (Parking) Spaces in which nine artists transform buses, campers and tents into unusual art galleries. Media artist Lisa Mann's project is titled Tentnology 2.0, and features an illuminated tent, portable cell tower and a generator to help keep the blogging camper going. The project is part of a larger Artnight Pasadena event tonight, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. featuring an array of arts and cultural institutions.

The Eleventh Year

UCLA's Film & Television Archive continues Kino Eye, its tribute to the great Soviet filmmaker Dziga Vertov, tonight and tomorrow night with screenings of his short newsreels and other films. Tonight's show includes The Eleventh Year, described as a "visually and rhythmically spectacular film," while tomorrow's screening includes newsreel No. 21, Film Poem about Lenin, which commemorates the first anniversary of Lenin's death. Both screenings start at 7:30 p.m. at the Billy Wilder Theater.

Chico Rita

Chico & Rita is the acclaimed feature animation by director Fernando Trueba and designer Javier Mariscal, who together create a portrait of Cuban music and culture through a story of love and heartbreak. In addition to its lively and colorful animation, the film features a great soundtrack that includes music by Thelonious Monk, Cole Porter and Dizzy Gillespie, among others. The film plays at the Nuart through March 15.Saturday, March 10
NewTown Presents City Speaks, a sculptural poetry/sonic installation with an official opening today between 11:15 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in Pasadena. The event features poets Don Kingfisher Campbell, Matthew Shenoda and Kathabela Wilson, as well as sculptor Alessandro Thompson and sound designer Rima Snyder.

Thembis Diary

The Young Directors Nightat LACMA tonight at 7:30 p.m. features seven short films by up and coming filmmakers. "The event is not only designed to be a film exhibition, but also creates an educational experience highlighting the intricacies of the filmmaking process." A reception will follow the screening, which includes films by Mike Blaney, Richard Parkin, Michael Koerbel, Isaac Ergas, Namina Forna, Jisoo Kim and Fawaz Al-Matrouk.

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