tagged w/ Series Art History
-
Read the whole article at: http://www.offscreen.com/biblio/phile/essays/mojica_marins/
The man is Jose Mojica Marins, the alias is the sadistic, nihilistic undertaker Coffin Joe, or Zé do Caixão in Portuguese. Marins has had a fascinating life and career, beginning as a youngster making super 8mm films, and growing up through a series of tumultuous political periods in Brazil, where he made the country’s first horror film, and struggled through governmental censorship and the stigma of being a lone horror filmmaker to become one of Brazil’s most visible and widespread (comics, television, film, song, etc.) popular artists. Marins’ Coffin Joe is one of the most vile, strong headed and antagonistic characters seen in any cinema, and yet he became a hero of sorts for the poor and underprivileged, to the point where he even flirted with politics and social reform. What is fascinating about the persona of Coffin Joe (Zé do Caixão) is that even though he has the negative traits of an anti-hero, or a villain, he becomes the focal point for viewers because there are no other characters in his films that remotely fit the bill of hero or heroine. While an ‘anti-hero’ on the one hand, Coffin Joe is also a whipping boy, a stand-in for all of those negative aspects of Brazilian patriarchy and politics; and a cathartic release of repressed social anger against the establishment, the church, the authority, the police, and so on. An autodidact, Marins’ films are at once primal and primitive, yet paradoxically contain an intellectual subtext with echoes of Friedrich Nietzsche —his ‘will to power,’ ‘Overman,’ and proclamation “God is dead”— and the Marquis de Sade (his theories on sexuality and human nature) for anyone willing to read into his alias’ twisted philosophy. This interview was conducted several years ago, in the summer of 2001, when Marins was an invited guest of the Fantasia film festival. It has taken a while for the timing to be right, but Offscreen is pleased to finally present what we feel is the most in-depth interview with Marins in the English language. (Donato Totaro)
Marins with translator Valerio Marques
I am still looking for other works more experimental in nature. I made about 30 to 35 films in different formats before I attempted my first feature film in 1953. It is called A Sentença de Deus (God’s Sentence). In fact this is a film that I never finished since there was the death of an actress in the “Vera Cruz” Studios, she drowned while taking a bath. There was a lot of material shot for that film; however, there were several tragedies surrounding it. I mentioned the first actress that drowned; outside the film, a second actress was sick with tuberculosis and died later. I am planning to collect all these excerpts and produce a documentary where I will narrate the reasons that made it impossible to finish the film.
Marins flanked by Donato Totaro (left) and Peter Rist (right)
Endnotes
1 Totaro, Donato. A Meia-Noite Levarei Sua Alma (At Midnight I’ll Take your Soul, 1963), pp. 137-139, in Peter Rist, Timothy Barnard, ed., South American Cinema: A Critical Filmography, 1915–1994 (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1998 [NY: Garland, 1996].Read the whole article at: http://www.offscreen.com/biblio/phile/essays/mojica_marins/... more
-
-
By RAM.
In 1999 during a video/performance "Erased By Society", RAM recorded this work.
RAM was an amazing Brazilian/Canadian artist who influenced a lot my works.
The video "Woman Left Husband" was about me.
v.By RAM.
In 1999 during a video/performance "Erased By Society", RAM... more
-
-
Public intervention
In September 2000, I set up a public installation at my neighborhood. Dogs watching dogs on the tv. In a candid camera.
Montreal neighborhood.
I am so glad that I even influenced my neighbor Jana Sterbak a famous Canadian Artist to do the same work at the Venice Bienalle in 2003.
Artists influencing artists. Isn't that Great!!!!!!
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2003/06/13/jana130603.htmlPublic intervention
In September 2000, I set up a public installation at my... more
-
-
-
Some still images from a meeting with the Jolly Boys.
Port Antonio 2003
Special thanks to Laurent Saulnier and Caroline Johnson, who did a great effort to help the Jolly Boys to perform in Canada.
http://www.montrealjazzfest.com
As well Kerry Clarke from
Calgary Folk Music Festival,
http://www.calgaryfolkfest.com
Ness Creek Music Festival
http://www.nesscreek.com
FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL NUITS D'AFRIQUE - MONTREAL
http://www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com
valerio_marques at hotmail.com
The interesting thing is that they started as the Swamp Boys, 40's through the middle 60's a Mento band.
HOW THE NAME CAME ABOUT - One day a big belly white man (connected to one of the hotels where they perform) told them after listen to the band: you guys are not the swamp boys but The Jolly Boys. That is how their name came about. On that line-up you see: Mr. Joseph Bennett (aka Powdah), lead singer, Mr. Lindsey Lynch on the Banjo (son of the Jolly Boys founder Noel Lynch), Mr. Johny (Henry Derrick) on the Kalimba Box and on the guitar Mr. Noel Howard.
Unfortunately The Jolly Boys lost one of its most important member, mr. Moses Deans who passed away (a little note below on Glory Aspinall book on her friend). He was their banjo player, backing vocal and lead vocal. Also Allan Swymmer, the amazing lead sing and bongo player of the cds: pop' n'mento produced by Jules Shear and the "beer joint + tailoring" produced by Andy Kershaw. Allan Swimmer has his own Mento band. The founders of the Jolly Boys: Moses Dean, Noel Howard, Noel Lynch (Guitar and father of the banjo player on the video shown, Lindsay Lynch) and Johny (Henry Derrick).
Valerio.
---------------------------------------- -----
Mento music, as represented by its best known practitioners the Jolly Boys, signifies one of the first original recorded contemporary Caribbean island music styling of the 20th century. Many different types of music styles (for example Jonkunno, Quadrille, and the simple plantation work songs, to name a few) collided together to create a vibrant musical fabric of the Caribbean, and some would argue, particularly, in Jamaica.
Mento as a musical style had many parents, among them Trinidadian calypso, old Christian hymns, southern blues and later even jazz. Mento is originally thought to have emerged as a style of island folk music on Jamaica in the early part of last century. The original term, 'Mento,' took on new meanings over time as the style enjoyed a brief time in the spotlight in the 1940's and the 1950's, before it faded out in timely conjunction with the political and cultural awakening of the Jamaican people. This awakening came as part the people's pursuit of self-government and political autonomy from her British rulers, culminating in full independence in 1962.
From the the Shivu Raos Site (May 2002) http://www.furious.com/perfect/jollyb...
---------------------------------------- ----
Gloria Aspinall's Book
Gloria Aspinall of New Hampshire, USA had an interesting story to tell about her twenty five year relationship with Jolly Boy Moses Deans. So much so, that she has written a self published a book, "Cast The First Stone". She was a white conservative New England widow in her 30s when Deans fell in love with her in the late 1960s. Their story explores the struggles of a mixed race couple in the 1960s from Port Antonio, Jamaica to Manchester, NH. Gloria remembers Moses as kind, spiritual, and loving, and not having received the recognition he deserved.
"Cast The First Stone" Gloria B. Aspinall
contact her at glori7 at localnet.com.
http://mentomusic.com/TheJollyBoys.ht...Some still images from a meeting with the Jolly Boys.
Port Antonio 2003
Special... more
-
-
From the CD Beer Joint + Tailoring
Special thanks to Laurent Saulnier and Caroline Johnson, who did a great effort to help the Jolly Boys to perform in Canada.
http://www.montrealjazzfest.com
As well Kerry Clarke from
Calgary Folk Music Festival,
http://www.calgaryfolkfest.com
Ness Creek Music Festival
http://www.nesscreek.com
FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL NUITS D'AFRIQUE - MONTREAL
http://www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com
valerio_marques at hotmail.com
From Jamaica
Mento music, as represented by its best known practitioners the Jolly Boys, signifies one of the first original recorded contemporary Caribbean island music styling of the 20th century. Many different types of music styles (for example Jonkunno, Quadrille, and the simple plantation work songs, to name a few) collided together to create a vibrant musical fabric of the Caribbean, and some would argue, particularly, in Jamaica.
Mento as a musical style had many parents, among them Trinidadian calypso, old Christian hymns, southern blues and later even jazz. Mento is originally thought to have emerged as a style of island folk music on Jamaica in the early part of last century. The original term, 'Mento,' took on new meanings over time as the style enjoyed a brief time in the spotlight in the 1940's and the 1950's, before it faded out in timely conjunction with the political and cultural awakening of the Jamaican people. This awakening came as part the people's pursuit of self-government and political autonomy from her British rulers, culminating in full independence in 1962.
From the the Shivu Raos Site (May 2002)
http://www.furious.com/perfect/jollyb...
The Jolly Boys are the foremost performers of Mentor, the ribald, witty first cousin of Jamaican reggae. Like reggae, Mento is marked by a shuffling, syncopated guitar strum, an irreverent attitude, and a lazy, swaying danceability. Unlike reggae, Mento has no sacramental roots, nor does it strain after profundity. Instead, Mento makes a religion of sexual braggadocio, drinking, and good times. The Jolly Boys have been composing and performing mentos for decades; indeed, they used to perform for Errol Flynn when he stayed at his Jamaican villa. Their sound is derived from rhythmic bongo playing, along with solos by the banjo and kalimba (finger piano). Two representative discs are Pop 'n' Mento and Sunshine 'n' Water. ~ Leon Jackson, All Music Guide - on the Artist Direct site.From the CD Beer Joint + Tailoring
Special thanks to Laurent Saulnier and Caroline... more
-
-
The Jolly Boys at Spectra - AmerImage - Montreal
in a 60 minutes production by:
http://equipespectra.ca
Special thanks to Laurent Saulnier and Caroline Johnson, who did a great effort to help the Jolly Boys to perform in Canada.
http://www.montrealjazzfest.com
As well Kerry Clarke from
Calgary Folk Music Festival,
http://www.calgaryfolkfest.com
Ness Creek Music Festival
http://www.nesscreek.com
FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL NUITS D'AFRIQUE - MONTREAL
http://www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com
valerio_marques at hotmail.com
The interesting thing is that they started as the Swamp Boys, a Mento band. One day a big belly white man told them after listen to their performance: you guys are not the swamp boys but The Jolly Boys. That is how their name came about. On that line-up you see: Mr. Joseph Bennett (aka Powdah), lead singer, Mr. Lindsey Lynch on the Banjo (son of the Jolly Boys founder Noel Lynch), Mr. Johny (Henry Derrick) on the Kalimba Box and on the guitar Mr. Noel Howard.
Unfortunately
The Jolly Boys lost one of its most important member, mr. Moses Deans who passed away (a little note below on Glory Aspinall book on her friend). He was their banjo player, backing vocal and lead vocal. Also Allan Swymmer, the amazing lead sing and bongo player of the cds: pop' n'mento produced by Jules Shear and the "beer joint + tailoring" produced by Andy Kershaw. Allan has his own Mento band. The founders of the Jolly Boys: Moses Dean, Noel Howard, Noel Lynch (Guitar and father of the banjo player on the video shown, Lindsay Lynch) and Johny (Henry Derrick).
Valerio.
---------------------------------------- -----
Mento music, as represented by its best known practitioners the Jolly Boys, signifies one of the first original recorded contemporary Caribbean island music styling of the 20th century. Many different types of music styles (for example Jonkunno, Quadrille, and the simple plantation work songs, to name a few) collided together to create a vibrant musical fabric of the Caribbean, and some would argue, particularly, in Jamaica.
om.
http://mentomusic.com/TheJollyBoys.htmThe Jolly Boys at Spectra - AmerImage - Montreal
in a 60 minutes production by:... more
-
-
Clips from a first meeting with Palmerino. Part of a short documentary.
contact valerio_marques at hotmail.com
Palmerino was an interesting artist from Montreal. From performance art to sculptures, paintings, installations and so on, this interdisciplinary artist dedicated his life to Virgin Mary.
I first met him in 1997 at Notre-Dame Street, beside "Le Théâtre Corona". In December 17, 2000 the building burned down.
I met him again to bring a DVD with the images that I shot before the fired destroyed his studio, in his new home, where I had an opportunity to film him again. As always, he was productive and proud of his art works.
He passed away in 2005. Officially he was born in 1919.
v.
See a documentary on Palmerino produced by David Gutnick, narrated by Gordon Pinsent.
Really touching and insightful work, by both Palmerino and David (CBC.CA=Radio One).
contact at valerio_marques at hotmail.comClips from a first meeting with Palmerino. Part of a short documentary.
contact... more
-
-
On the Buckminster Fuller's Biosphere, the American Pavilion for the EXPO-67 in Montreal, I organized an exhibit celebrating the INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR.
The participation of artists, universities, explorers and researchers/scientists gives the exhibit an unique view of the Arctic and its importance for the environment.
Thanks to Hans Blohm, Marten Berkman, Universite Laval - ArcticNet, Bernard Voyer, Students on Ice (Geoff Green) and scientist of Environment Canada.
Valerio Marques.On the Buckminster Fuller's Biosphere, the American Pavilion for the EXPO-67 in... more
-
-
RAM WAS AN AMAZING BRAZILIAN ARTIST WHO LIVED IN MONTREAL.
On that performance he opened his house for the viewer to see his life and apartment.
RAM - RIP
a short clip from Valerio MarquesRAM WAS AN AMAZING BRAZILIAN ARTIST WHO LIVED IN MONTREAL.
On that performance he... more
-
-
video series 'art history'.
From the same series:
"Series of attempts to get a spiral jetty", photography work.
10 pictures.
contact valerio_marques at hotmail.comvideo series 'art history'.
From the same series:
"Series of attempts... more
-
