Responses- Smith and Warhol

Mary Jordan, Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis

3. Chapter 4. What are some of the reasons suggested for Smith’s obsession with Maria Montez? What are some of your responses to the clips from the Montez films (especially Cobra Woman)?

Maria Montez, for Smith, was the epitome of a diva, she was the star of Technicolor and brought back pleasant memories of watching films as a child. She was exotic and melodramatic.

4. Chapter 5. What were some attributes of the New York art community in the 1960s, and what was the relationship between the economics of the time and the materials that Smith incorporated in to his work and films? [How could Smith survive and make art if he was so poor in the city so big they named it twice?]

In the 60’s the NY artist were a close group, so close in fact they were considered akin to an ethnic group all their own. Smith dumpster dove, so to speak, to make his props and costumes, left over fabric, mannequins and whatever else he could find. Although Smith was poor, NY was not so expensive back in the day.

5. Chapter 6. What problems emerged after the obscenity charges against Flaming Creatures in the relationship between Jack Smith and Jonas Mekas? What metaphor emerged from the conflict between Smith and Mekas?

Smith felt the Mekas used his work for profit, thus ruining the purity of art. By taking his film to various shows and profiting, Mekas was considered a Lobster, a metaphor for a scavenger, bottom feeder.

6. Chapter 7. What is John Zorn’s argument about Normal Love? How does his argument relate to some of the changes in the New York art world in the 1960s that we discussed in class? What are some arguments made about the influence of Jack Smith on other filmmakers (including Warhol)?

Zorn argues that the real art was the making of the film not the film itself. During this time in NY, there was a reaction to commercialism. Artist exploited commercial media in protest of conformity and materialism. Smith is said to have influenced many other artist that saw his films. Fellini used his imagery, Warhol copied style and he used many of the same actors that Smith did. The Factory was even reminiscent of Smiths earlier apartment film shooting.

7. Chapter 9 and 10: In what ways did Jack Smith become “uncommercial film personified”? What is meant by the slogan, “no more masterpieces” and how did Smith resist commodification (or the production of art products)?
Smith kept it real, did not sell out, his vision of the world was that art should be free and accessible. After Flaming Creatures, Smith never made another “masterpiece” in other words did not make another complete film. Later showings of his work would be edited during projection so that you would have to be there to experience it. In this way his work could never be bought and sold as a commodity.


Callie Angell, “Andy Warhol, Filmmaker”

[I have emailed part one of this article to the class, it is not on reserve.]

8. How does Angell characterize the first major period of Warhol’s filmmaking career? What are some of the films from this period, and what formal qualities did they share? What are some significant differences between Sleep and Empire?

The films were long, minimal and silent. Sleep, Kiss, Haircut, Blow Job, Eat, Empire, and Henry Geldzahler. Sleep was shot from multiple angles, different shot sizes and edits. Empire was a continuous shot without movement.

9. What role did the Screen Tests play in the routines at the Factory and in Warhol’s filmmaking?
Screen tests shot at the Factory, documented life there. Capturing and framing the people and visitors of the factory, like a series of still photographs, these tests informed Warhol’s production technique.

10. How does Angell characterize the first period of sound films in Warhol’s filmmaking career? Who was Warhol’s key collaborator for the early sound films? What are some of the films from this period and what formal properties did they share?

Ronald Travel was his main collaborator. His films had the quality of stage productions of life as it occurs. Vinyl, Poor Little Rich Girl, Restaurant, and Afternoon are some of the films.