Film Screening „Empathy for Concrete Things“, on 9 October in Halle

Our EEGA Fellow Gregory Gan will show his film “Empathy for Concrete Things” on October 9th in Halle. This will be followed by a discussion on the content and methodological approach. Combining personal stories with experimental research on the history of twentieth-century art and architecture, the film creates both a compelling narrative, and a contemporary aesthetic of panel-block mass housing using original watercolors, put into motion using digital animation and stop-motion techniques

Abstract:

Based on their experiences living and working amongst Soviet-era concrete, panel-block apartments, the filmmaker, together with five visual artists, examine past and present attitudes towards their former homes. Combining personal stories with experimental research on the history of twentieth-century art and architecture, the film creates both a compelling narrative, and a contemporary aesthetic of panel-block mass housing using original watercolors, put into motion using digital animation and stop-motion techniques. As global and personal histories interweave, the film explores notions of moral and political responsibility as evinced in physical space. Empathy for Concrete Things thus considers how modern architecture has become the site of both utopian fantasies, and major calamities that shaped the history of the twentieth century. As former postsocialist countries have been thrust, or hang on the edge of new humanitarian and political crises, the film expresses its own rallying cry against destruction, all from the vantage point of concrete, panel-block apartments.

The event will be held in English. It is a cooperation with the Geographical Colloquium of the MLU Halle-Wittenberg.

Date:
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
19:00 – 20:45

Venue:
Agentur für Aufbruch (ehemaliges Kaufhaus Innenstadt)
Große Ulrichstraße 13
06108 Halle (Saale)

Registration is not required. Participation is free of charge.