Takeshi murata makes short animations that reference the psychedelic in a manner that seems very specific to providence noise scene. A risd alumni, murata uses digital video technologies in a n aesthetic approach that either belies the digital basis, or combines the now classic glitch with a painterly quality that can be breath taking. I'm interested in the intersection of phenomenalogical art and conceptual art, As they have moved in parallel for so long and seem to relate only remotely.

I had a conversation with Melissa about the basis for pheno-art, and we came to the conclusion that because at one point it was new as an idea to strip all concept away from the art object and just strictly look at it for it's power to make a literal phyiscal impression, This was considered avant garde and thus folded into the cannon once people understood it was safe.

Which leaves the question about how pheno art relates to whats happening now. There seems to be a whole psych thing coming back and it definitely seems emphasized here in providence, but is coming out in other parts of the world too. Perhaps, between murata's beautiful movies and e40's command to 'get dumb', we are trying to put ourselves to sleep, given the dystopic state of things. A good question would be whether people feel that things are fucked up or not. And it would interesting to find a good way to gather this information, Outside of a gallup poll or something.

After seeing Murata's work, I became inspired to start doing animations that where phenomenologically driven and had some wierd conceptual basis myself. I came up with the movie below. It's a snapshot from a little mining town outside of my home town and i feel like it's completely indicative of the way things are around where i grew up.