the film the five obstructions is a study in the rules of engagement for artmaking. This is a collaborative work where Lars von Trier sets up new rules for Jørgen Leth in the remake of his film The Perfect Human. The five experiments von Trier sets up investigate the nature of methodologies. His rules for the First Obstruction seem almost sadistic:

(1) No edit longer than 12 frames
(2)To be shot in a place the director has never been
(3) No Set
(4)and the questions (rhetorical) have to be answered

Von Trier is displacing Leth, putting him in alien surroundings, refusing to let him do long, sensual shots that the populated the original film. The rules seem antagonistic to Leth and viewer, we see Leth wrestle with the absurdity. Leth's response is abeautifull sensual film of texture and visual pleasure. In fact Leth makes four gorgeous films no matter the absurdity of the rules.

Von Trier's experiments/tortures reveal that in fact that by setting a few parameters for a project, one can free many unknowns and foster the creative process.

two of the most intriguing videos I found via the web this weekend are

BCC by motomichi nakamura -----> http://www.motomichi.com/bcc/bcc_window.html

and

SUPERSMILE by YOUNG-HAE CHANG HEAVY INDUSTRIES ------> http://www.yhchang.com/SUPER_SMILE.html

BCC is an interface of web objects resembling arms/hands/fists each links to an animation that reflects upon the disaffection of the contemporary techie/nerdly user. The CSR (customer service rep), in bondage gear monotonously supplying rote answers, struck me as completely fuckingly fascinatingly appropriate reflection of the lives of those poor bastards. Technically the film is beautiful in it's direct and graphic form. This only further compliments the mood and story of disaffection and angst. Bad ass shit!


SUPERSMILE is also a direct graphic beauty but, that elegant simplicity is its' only relation to the former. It is a peppy stream of consciousness that will make you guffaw out loud "what the fuck!!". I loved the soundtrack and stayed through the entire animation; I had to find out how it ended!

Read you Loud and Clear, KN. All systems are optimal, all back-up systems optimal, proceed as necessary.

kid neutrino to command, do you read me?, over.