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Exhibitions
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CONGRATULATIONS.
. . Principal photography is well under way for EZTV's next "Off-Hollywood" feature, "Chasers", starring writer/actor Bart McLean, with Robert Heap and featuring the sounds and movements of Morgan. The screenplay co-written by McLean with director/video artist Michael Masucci, the sci-fi suspense thriller features compelling drama, driving music and the stream of conscious imagery that EZTV is famous for. APRIL.
. . ("a jaw-dropper"). Following Internet World's coverage of EZTV's Director Michael Masucci's comments about the state of Hollywood and digital media, an article appeared in Variety's ON PRODUCTION MAGAZINE in the High-Tech Hollywood section. Stemming from Valenti's statements in March about the state of Hollywood production and its rising costs, Internet World from the floor of its booming convention quoted Masucci's comments about the digital solution to Hollywood's waste. In ON PRODUCTION the author clearly sides with big production, however he does give a hearty nod to Masucci's theories that much of production from shooting to effects can be done in the digital medium thereby saving costs and enhancing the creative scope of the project. However, Masucci
wishes to make clear that his philosophy does not include the replacement
of actors or story by a digital medium. Rather, the film is the story
and acting.
JANUARY .
. . EZTV was included in an impressive roster of world class pioneers in the fields of "humanistic technology". With speakers and performances ranging from VRML inventor Mark Pesce to funk music pioneer George Clinton the Digital Be-In started off the new year. EZTV presented a trailer for its new feature, "Chasers" and spoke about its philosophy and history of bringing media tools to the community and empowering individuals to explore their visions beyond the scope and limitations of previous production paradigms. This year's Be-In focused on the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and also included presentations by Amnesty International and Native American activist and musician Floyd Westerman. The event was part of a live netcast to approximately 100,000 viewers. EZTV would like to thank Verbum Inc., its president Michael Gosney and Be-In co-producer Bob Gelman for continuing to bring to the world a gathering that explores the human side of technology and its benevolent and artistic applications.
EZTV was given two retrospective shows of its work at various galleries and museums. July 27th, Huntington Beach Art Center presented classic videos by Vertical Blanking in collaboration with UFO magazine. Vertical
Blanking is comprised of two influential members of EZTV, Michael Masucci
and ia Kamandalu. Several of these videos were also included in a retrospective
titled DIGILANTES of six desktop artists to be exhibited in conjunction
with SIGGRAPH '97 and MADLA Museum of Art in Los Angeles.
EZTV in collaboration with London's Institute of Contemporary Art "This is very much state of the art L.A. alternative filmmaking", stated the London Independent on "Dschungel!". EZTV's latest production, "Dschungel!" is an original video based on a concept by London based performance artist Ronald Fraser-Munro and directed by Michael Masucci. The piece premiered at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London on April 26 with much controversy and applause. The piece co-produced by the ICA, London is a satiric retelling of Dick Gregory's "The Watermelon Man", set in Los Angeles in the near future. An evil Nazi (Zeke Heil), in 1942 is cryogenically frozen by a team of doctors & engineers in a top secret German experiment taking place in California. A malfunction in the cryogenic apparatus revives him two years early (in the year 1999) to discover that while he has retained his Hitler youth and racist ideals, that his skin has turned "schwartze"... A kind of Mel Brooks meets Fellini. Future collaboration will be with London's Digital Diaspora in the production of an intercontinental series of Internet art, to be called "Digital Slam II"- tying cities and their artists such as London and L.A. with Paris, Johannesburg, etc., for the purpose of creating and "broadcasting" original work via the Internet. Prior to these events ICA premiered EZTV's last videotape with long-time friend and collaborator, the late Dr. Timothy Leary. (see below) "Outside Looking In: One Last Visit with Timothy" Dr. Timothy Leary, long-time friend and collaborator of both EZTV and artist Natasha Vita More, agreed to do one last piece with the EZTV crew, shortly before his death. The piece premiered at the London Institute of Contemporary Art. It includes performances and videos by Dr. Fiorella Terenzi, P. Orridge, Vertical Blanking, Retinal Logic, Hyperdelic Video and the Alan Rudolph documentary on Leary and Liddy. Santyricon & Burning Man at EZTV EZTV burned out the year with a celebration of Burning Man videos and a gathering of about 150 of Cacophony Society's Santas. The irreverent evening featured the official Burning Man documentary by Chuck Cirino, along with videos by Masucci, Weird TV and others. Special thanks to Joan Collins and Paul Carey for co-producing the event. "House Made of Dawn" Nemesis Productions' moving documentary about turn-of-the-century female architect Mary Jane Coulter is nearing its completion. Produced and directed by Karen Bartlett, it is scheduled to premiere at the Herd Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. 1996 was one of EZTV's most productive years in terms of presentng live multimedia events. Three such events have taken place by June, and media coverage internationally on the Discovery Channel, as well as feature article in Artweek has kept EZTV's presence in the media's eye. "The E-Mail Dances: version 1.01a" A multi-media dance by Louise Reichlin (with video and digital art and projections by EZTV's Michael Masucci) premiered at the University of Southern California .with an additional expanded version at Los Angeles Dept. of Cultural Affairs' Barnsdall Art Park. EZTV collaborates with London Repertory Theater In collaboration with stage director Michael Arabian, EZTV video artist Michael Masucci created a video context to accompany a performance at the Audrey Skirball Museum. "Hero's Welcome" A surreal non-linear narrative/music video, the next scheduled production from EZTV's Michael Masucci, will premiere soon. The work suggests a techno-merger between the astral plane and virtual reality. Starring Morgan, ia Kamandalu, Bart McLean and Gary Kotz. EZTV
welcomes proposals for video/multi-media collaboration, and is constantly
looking to expand the boundaries of contemporary media, performance and
community involvement.
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