Scratching Through the Surface

‘Scratching Through the Surface’ is a programme of films, projected on 16mm*, that delve into materiality within the LUX archive, challenging convention with experimental, immersive, and meditative approaches. They include a variety of direct animation techniques including manipulations to the film emulsion, painting on film, and the intersection of animation and the analogue medium. This collection of short films, spanning from the 1970s to late 2010s, draw inspiration from painting, nature, and the human condition, providing a rare opportunity to experience analog films by LUX artists including Vicky Smith, Kayla Parker, Vanda Carter, Stan Brakhage, Riccardo Iacono, Lucy Lee, and Ruth Abrahams.

From raw, intense expressions to ethereal, dreamlike landscapes, this selection aims to bring visibility to lesser known works in the collection, in dialogue with the work of more well known artists.

'Scratching Through the Surface' is curated by Sara Ismail and Jaison Washington, Collection and Archive Assistants. Sara and Jaison’s roles at LUX are supported by Art Fund.

*The programme featured 10 films by LUX artists, including 3 films by Kayla Parker: 'Unknown Woman' (16mm) and 'Night Sounding' (16mm), both projected from film, and 'Sunset Strip' (35mm), which is shown as HD video. Unknown Woman was screened on Channel 4 in the Dazzling Image II programme (1993); Night Sounding was broadcast on BBC2 at the start of The Late Show programme (1992); Channel 4's Dope Sheet programme, 'Briterati', included an interview with Parker and extracts from the films, with Sunset Strip screened in its entirety after the programme (1997).