A Portrait of Marina Abramovic , A 3D Film Installation by Matthu Placek, Still from film, 2013
The world premier of
A Portrait of Marina Abramovic , A 3D Film Installation by
Matthu Placek recently debuted during Art Basel Miami Beach at The Jewel Box, a venue which hasn’t been open to the public for many years. It is a cubed shape extending upwards and offers a 360 degree view filtered through colorful stained glass. Not a typical venue, it assisted in setting a particular mood for the film, where visitors were invited to prop themselves on cylindrical wooden stools, done 3D glasses and sit back to enjoy. The film itself, is almost a religious portrayal of Marina Abramovic, the world-renowned performance artist who has recently collaborated with pop sensation
Lady Gaga among others. New York based artist Matthu Placek offers his first take feedback on working with Marina, the technical process of the piece and his continued pursuit of 3D portraits below.
KATY DIAMOND HAMER: Your 3D portrait of Marina Abramovic recently had its debut in Miami during Art Basel. A portrait can be translated in many different ways, however the 3D portrait grants viewers the opportunity to really see the subject in a virtual 360 degree format. Can you talk a little bit about the technological process and why you chose Marina as your first subject?
MATTHU PLACEK: I utilize 3D one-take cinematography because it is the most intimate, however virtual, approach to portraiture. Marina and I were introduced in 2006. Since then, she has never changed her tune with me. She is a consistent person. As a result of this quality, I believe her. She is a good and sincere person which is reflected in our friendship and not least of all her prolific 40+ year career as a pioneering performance artist.
KDH: Having the premier at The Jewel Box on the Young Arts Campus was ideal as the entire interior is entirely constructed of stained glass. Were you aware of this space and organization previously?
MP: The National YoungArts Foundation funded the majority of the film along and the installation. During my first conversation with Lisa Leone, The VP of YoungArts, she informed me that the Foundation had acquired the Bacardi Headquarters. The Jewel Box is a part of the complex. This piece of modernist Brazilian architecture happened to be among my favorites in Miami. I photographed the building 10 years ago. I told Lisa that if YoungArts takes on my project we absolutely MUST show the film in the “Jewel Box.” I thrilled it worked out. Each of these moving portraits are to be shown in environments that relate to the content.
KDH: I love the setting where Marina was filmed for the portrait. It is stripped down and nondescript allowing for her presence to be the most important. Was that a purposeful aesthetic choice to put the focus on the subject? Where was the location for the shoot
MP: The film was made in the future site of her Institute in Hudson, NY (This information is detailed in my statement I sent you) The environment is as important as Marina’s presence. They are one and the same. THe space is her future and her legacy.
A Portrait of Marina Abramovic , A 3D Film Installation by Matthu Placek, Still from film, 2013
KDH: Did Marina have any input into the visual interpretation and the fact that she was nude or were all the creative choices your own?
MP: All of the decisions were my own creatively however as a “portrait” they are all inspired by the subject. The fact that she is nude was most important. This film is a portrait of, among other aspects, Marina’s body of work which is her body. It was essential that tool was as tangible as possible not to mention vulnerable and powerful.
KDH: Since the Portrait of Marina Abramovic was your debut film, who is next can you give us a sneak peek? How long do you see this particular body of work lasting?
Matthu Placek, portrait by Marc Daniels, Image courtesy of the artist, 2013
MP: I am currently working on the next 3 portraits but I can’t say who they are just yet. I see this body of work continuing as long as I am around. I feel my work as a portraitist has led me to this work. I feel very clear and at home with this new process. We’ll see where it takes me.
KDH: Looking forward to your next portrait!
More soon
xo
