As Palazzo Grassi dedicates a major exhibition to Sigmar Polke, the Teatrino offers a rare opportunity to discover a selection of his films.
His work as a filmmaker is little known but more than 100 hours of films are kept by the Estate of Sigmar Polke. Shot in 16 mm in colours or black and white, the films are a visual diary of the artist’s private life, travels, views on politics as well as his creative process – in particular his experimentation on colours.
Ironic, witty, curious, their aesthetic and post-production confirm Polke’s sense of humour and thirst for experimentation. The artist plays with the film’s sensitivity to light and uses various means to suggest a close contact with the environment – blurred image, long-cut, wide range of camera movements, addition of unplanned elements.
On Wednesday 28th September, 6pm: the screenings will be introduced by Anna and Georg Polke, Elena Geuna e Guy Tosatto (Curators of the exhibition “Sigmar Polke” at Palazzo Grassi) and Thomas Elsaesser (film historian and professor of Film and Television Studies at the University of Amsterdam).
On Thursday 29th and Friday 30th September, the films will be screened continously from 10am to 7pm.
List of films:
1. Palazzo Regale (Pompei et al.), 16mm film, 8’46
2. La Verna, 16mm film, 9’03
3. Verona (Mantegna et al.), 16mm film, 8’51
4. Landscapes (San Vitale et al.), 16mm film, 8’59
5. Venice (Regata Storica et al.), 16mm film, 9’03
6. Venice (Violonist et al.), 16mm film, 8’53
7. Assisi (Venice Biennale et al.), 16mm film, 8’57
8. Venice Biennale (Quartz et al.), 16mm film, 9’05
9. Sfumato (Solfatera et al.), 16mm film, 12’02
