Patrick Thoits

Subrural

In this piece we primarily aimed to create a comparison between the urban sprawl and wildlife. To address the issues of coexistence between humans and nature, the film juxtaposes images of metropolis and forestry settings. We endeavored to create an “identity free” visual progression as this global issue applies to all humans. This silent film is a radical adaptation to an essay confronting complicity in regards to environmental awareness. The video piece takes an observatory and poetic approach at delivering its message. Visually the piece parallels patterns and ongoing events in both city and forest to define a connection. Due to a concise production plan, the making of this film went smoothly, leaving any challenges as simple scheduling constraints and remembering the variable shudder.

ARTIST STATEMENT

The message we were trying to communicate is how only through understanding the repercussions of our actions can we facilitate change, for we cannot care for anything of which we do not know.  The process of creating this piece was a little unorthodox because we disregarded the visuals while writing the script, and disregarded the written script while creating the visuals. The method of adjusting the collaborative essay into a script followed in suit, drastically different, the video hosts a radical adaptation. Despite a somewhat haphazard conception, in the end, things melded together cohesively. The piece predominantly uses the reflexive and poetic modes of representation, with a small element of performative mode. The video is comprised of many shots regarding the environment, and human interaction within it. There are also supplemental moments of abstract representation. The most challenging thing about this project was creating a pre production plan, and following through with it. Additionally, we ran into many technological issues when transferring media, from one workstation, to the next. Ultimately, the project was a success.