Monday 28 September 2015

Metaphonics Lab 1 & 2: the Institute's new, irregular broadcast

I have recently begun broadcasting a series of mixes from the sub-basement of the Institute, each exploring a topic, theme or feeling through a variety of music from across the world. Each listen should subtly adjust your headspace (0.002 - 0.0025%). There have been two broadcasts so far, one with a summery 'Bleach House' theme (which may all the same shine warmth on your winter months), the other following an ASMR theme in connection with our forthcoming movie (and on-going Indiegogo campaign), Murmurs.

Enjoy, follow, and watch out for forthcoming excretions. Why not share with someone for whose ears you care deeply?





Tuesday 11 August 2015

8 Absurdly Inspiring ASMR Artists

ASMR is the tingly feeling many people get in their head when they watch and listen to somebody playing with hair, turning pages in a magazine or explaining something quietly.

I’ve introduced a lot of people to the bewildering world of ASMR videos over the past few months, during the build up and production of our ASMR movie, Murmurs. People snigger, because it’s an absurd thing to watch. Then the next day they tell you they spent their whole evening watching strangers eating and brushing their hair on YouTube.

As you know, I consider absurdity to be the jam in the sandwich of human experience. Here are 8 sweet and fruity conserves to add tang to your tingles.

1. Lloyd


“Are you ready to check out?” Most ASMR videos you’ll see will look kind of glossy. Consumer cameras are hi-res these days, and many of the leading ASMRtists invest in professional gear to get those pure tingles to their viewers. Lloyd’s ASMR videos look like they were directed by Harmony Korine. Coupled with his deadpan demeanour, this makes Lloyd’s videos a sinister prospect. Thankfully, his moustache and deep voice channel enough Tom Sellecknicity into the show to keep one reassured of one’s own safety.



I love biscuits. Biscuits are one of the finest things humankind has created. But living in Bosnia, well… it’s not a biscuit culture. So I need to get my fix somehow. Also: if there is a ‘prime time’ for ASMR, I reckon it’s the afternoon. Those sleepy hours when the drive of the day has gone and stuff’s just happening around you. ASMR Angel’s Biscuits of Britain & Beyond series seems to exist in a perpetual, biscuity afternoon.



She’s dark. She’s funny. She’ll toy with your mind, posting and pulling down bizarre trigger vids before you even process what you’ve just heard. Key theme? Gynaecology. Latest vid? Ladybird on a tampon.
 


Did the Italian Futurists foresee a world of ASMR videos? Of course those overgrown schoolboys didn’t. But they arguably invented sound poetry, and Softly Galoshes has found an anti-futurist, video-primitivist application for it: making you feel tingly and safe. Actually, I can’t handle it, but I salute Softly for her very popular avant-garde practice in the trail of Maja Ratke, Jean-Louis Brau et al.!



His Automaton series is a diary of voyeuristic glimpses into the universe of time-stranded wayward genius Dr. Eugenius. Mr Asimar craftily integrates a wealth of sound effects into his visual steampunkscapes to take you to a never-time while you get your tingles.



First off, Tony Bomboni sounds like he’s been Name Game’d. And maybe he has. But secondly, In addition to yer standard grooming vids, Tony is hellbent on exploring the performance art end of straight-to-camera ASMR through faeries, shaman and – best of all – MERMAN - personae whose garish make-up calls to mind a, er, quieter Ryan Trecartin.



Could “Just vinegar and water” become a catchphrase? Nancy doesn’t bring ASMR to the camera – the camera rolls with Nancy as she lives her everyday life, gardening, cleaning, weaving, making soap or watching the deer. This is Nancyvision.
 
8. Hana


Daft and ridiculous, with a cruel sense of humour, Hana is the fictional ASMRtist superstar in my new flick Murmurs. With millions of fictional hits and a household full of homemade smart objects (smart slippers, smart hairbrush) Hana hasn’t felt the need to leave her home for 18 months. And that’s where the movie begins. Hana is played by Bosnian artist Elma Selman.

You can find out more about Murmurs and support our crowdfunding campaign here – igg.me/at/murmursfilm - we really need your support to get the thing finished and bring Hana to your screens. Please spread the word! (Quietly).



Saturday 1 August 2015

Murmurs: a paranoid romance... with tingles

Excellent news: at last you can contribute financially to the Institute, as we have launched our first ever crowdfunding campaign. And if you can't or won't pay up, why not consider sharing our project with your social networks?

Here's the link you'll want to follow and/or spread: igg.me/at/murmursfilm

The movie was directed by the Institute's Mr Cole under the mentorship of the great Béla Tarr, and follows a 36 hour date between a reclusive ASMR superstar and a remote security image analyst with a metal plate in his head. Shot in Sarajevo on a miniscule budget, the crew just needs a bit of help from our audience to ease the movie through post-production, sound design and distribution.



Tuesday 31 March 2015

From The Ground To The Stars (Lost In Bosnia) in Hong Kong

Lost In Bosnia, the omnibus movie made by 'young colleagues' of Béla Tarr including the Institute's Mr Cole (35), plays in Hong Kong this afternoon and again at the weekend.

WHEN: Tuesday, 31st March 2015, 17.15; Saturday, 4th April 2015, 19.30
COST: HK$65-75
NOTES: "Three years ago, after the Silver-Bear winning The Turin Horse (35th HKIFF), celebrated Hungarian auteur Béla Tarr announced his retirement. Instead, he went on to a new phase, directing a demanding film programme, the Film Factory at the Sarajevo Film Academy. Lost in Bosnia showcases the quests of eleven young filmmakers, from Japan to Mexico, to find their voices and styles under the guidance of a master who so richly chronicled Eastern Europe in the 20th century."


Sunday 18 January 2015

From The Ground To The Stars (Lost In Bosnia) in Trieste

Happy new year. Think back to 2014: the Institute's Mr Cole made the opening segment of an omnibus movie by students of Béla Tarr's film.factory. The segment is called From The Ground To The Stars. In Italy, they call it "Dalla terra alle stelle". The full movie, Lost In Bosnia, plays at Trieste Film Festival tomorrow.

EVENT: Lost In Bosnia
PROGRAM: Evento Speciale Cortometraggi
WHERE: Teatro Miela, Piazza Duca Degli Abruzzi 3, Trieste, Italy
WHEN: Monday, 19th January 2015, 16.00 
COST: €5


LOST IN BOSNIA - TRAILER from WideWall Studio on Vimeo.