("Film Noir” by Andreas Chasomeris)
Pre-code Forecast 1931 is an engaging new exhibition of paintings,
photography and film by Durban queer artist, Andreas Chasomeris, which opens at
artSPACE durban on May 5.
The title
encapsulates the major themes that Chasomeris has been exploring in relation to
History, Censorship and Cinema. The date of 1931 is significant because this
period of time was fascinating as the Great Depression (1929-1935) was being felt
around the world.
Cinema in both
Europe - and specifically Hollywood - was embracing the progressive nature of
society. However, the stark realities of the era gave rise to what is now
considered Pre-code Hollywood (1930-1934).
Technological
innovation of sound (1927) heralded a new dawn of talking pictures and films
like Josef von Sternberg’s The Blue Angel
(1929) and Shanghai Express (1931);
Reinhold Schünzel’s Viktor und Viktoria
(1933). These films are but a few of the examples that became evidence later by
the Production code of the fear of the screen in corrupting and destroying the
public.
These films were
labelled as Vice pictures and by 1934, with the Catholic League of Decency,
promised to eradicate any disgusting, immoral and vice ridden representations
off the screens.
Chasomeris’
personal response comes from a critical evaluation based on the past documented
histories and the present lived experience of being a queer artist in
post-Apartheid South African context. As an educator with a passion for film,
art and history, he firmly believes in order to understand the possibility that
what our potential future holds is deeply entrenched in the narratives of the
past.
The exhibition
includes influences of Art Deco, Marlene Dietrich, Weimar Republic, Jean Harlow,
Busby Berkeley musical numbers, Cole Porter and a touch of Agatha Christie.
Pre-code Forecast 1931 opens on May 4 at 18h00 for 18h30 and runs
until May 23. artSPACE durban
is situated at 3 Millar Road (off Umgeni Road) close to the Waste Centre. More
information on 031 312 0793 or visit www.artspacedurban.co.za or www.artspacedurban.blogspot.com
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