Artists Space

Artists Super 8 Film Exposition

May 11 – June 1, 1977

A black and white photograph of a figure with long dark hair. Over the figure
Artists unknown, from Super 8 Film Exposition. Artists Space, 1977. [A black and white photograph of a figure with long dark hair. Over the figure's face the words "she hides from questions and cameras" is written in large, black capitalized text.]

Super 8 films by 48 New York artists will be screened at Artists Space over a period of a month beginning Wednesday, May 11 and continuing through Saturday, June 4. The Artists Super 8 Film Exposition is a precedent setting event that takes a comprehensive look at artists recent and growing interest in Super 8 film as a viable art medium. Until recently Super 8 was exclusively a “home movie” activity, however the relatively low cost and portability of Super 8 equipment along with its increasing sophistication has encouraged artists to work with it rather than 16 mm film or video. The Exposition includes a broad range of work, from short casual filmic notations to long, carefully considered works of high technical quality. The length of the films vary from 45 seconds to one hour. There are several special installations, a number of films that require double projections, and several continuously repeated films presented on loop projectors.

A black and white photograph of a room with several rows of chairs. Along the back wall, two projectors stand on pedastals and a figure on the right adjusts a film reel.
Super 8 Films Exposition. Installation view, Artists Space, New York, 1977. [A black and white photograph of a room with several rows of chairs. Along the back wall, two projectors stand on pedastals and a figure on the right adjusts a film reel.]
A black and white photograph of a gallery space. Several film reels and projectors are positioned on tables and stands.
Super 8 Film Exposition. Installation view, Artists Space, New York, 1977. [A black and white photograph of a gallery space. Several film reels and projectors are positioned on tables and stands.]

A color photograph of two figures in a dark space. The figure on the left wears a mask and points a gun at the figure on the right who is behind a bar.
Scott Billingsley, still from Hold Up, c. 1977. Color video, 10 min. [A color photograph of two figures in a dark space. The figure on the left wears a mask and points a gun at the figure on the right who is behind a bar.]
A black and white image of a figure in a field, they bend at the waist and place their hands on their knees.
Gregg Powell, video still, c. 1977. [A black and white image of a figure in a field, they bend at the waist and place their hands on their knees.]
Black lowercase typewriter text on a white background reads "we can
Mitch Corber, video still, c. 1977. [Black lowercase typewriter text on a white background reads "we can't wait."]
A black and white video still of a group of people in a street. One is sitting on a bicycle, another to the right leans against a trash can and looks down at their shoes.
Andrea Callard, still from Standard Adult Wheelchair; Temporary participation for an analogous situation. Black and white video, 6 min, c. 1977. [A black and white video still of a group of people in a street. One is sitting on a bicycle, another to the right leans against a trash can and looks down at their shoes.]
Black and white image of an open mouth, only partially visible in the darkness. A candle hovers in front, illuminating the figure
Charles Ahearn, still from Sinatra, c. 1977. Black and white video, 3 min. [Black and white image of an open mouth, only partially visible in the darkness. A candle hovers in front, illuminating the figure's teeth, gums, and tongue.]

Artists Super 8 Film Exposition Press Release

Taubin, Amy. "Enervating Super 8." The Soho Weekly News. June 9, 1977. Print, 35.