Turn the Light Around: 16mm Performative Plant-Processed Films

Turn the Light Around: 16mm Performative Plant-Processed Films is a presentation by Katherine Bauer and Joyce Lainé, members of the film collective Le Ratoire and Atelier MTK. While most analogue films today are processed using complex chemicals in a darkroom, each of the films in this program emerged from a developer composed of only plants, ashes, and water. The filmmakers engage in plant-based film processing as a form of collective action. Plants are thus collaborators in both the subject matter and the material revelation of their films, bringing their work into dialogue with the broader ecosystem: the sun gives life to the plants, the plants give life to the film, and the film turns the light back around to our eyes. The program centers on the film-performance Asphalt Splendor, a portrait of the Hudson River, processing the footage with water from the river and plants growing on the shores. Other films take a turn around a temple outside of Guadalajara processed with the surrounding beer and sage, a day at the beach becomes red from a certain seaweed, mushrooms munch emulsion to reveal mysterious mapping, and more.

Accessibility: The Stewart Theater is an accessible venue. Guests in need of access accommodations are asked to contact the Lewis Center at LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week prior to the event date.