Stan Brakhage’s Metaphors on Vision

Floor 3, Theater

First published in 1963 by Jonas Mekas as a special issue of Film Culture, Metaphors on Vision by Stan Brakhage (1933 -2003) stands as the major theoretical statement by one of American avant-garde cinema’s most influential figures. It is a treatise on the nature of visual experience written in a style as idiosyncratic as Brakhage’s art. Yet despite its historical importance and undeniable influence, the complete Metaphors has been out of print in the US for over forty years.

To celebrate the new, definitive 2017 edition of Metaphors on Vision, published by Anthology Film Archives and Light Industry, this program presents a screening of Brakhage’s groundbreaking cameraless film Mothlight (1963) from the Whitney’s collection, followed by a conversation considering Brakhage’s work and its relevance to artists today.

Speakers include P. Adams Sitney, the editor of Metaphors on Vision and Emeritus Professor of Visual Art at Princeton; Chrissie Iles, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Curator; filmmaker and artist Jennifer Reeves; and Thomas Beard, Director of Light Industry.

 Tickets are required ($10 adults; $8 members, students, and seniors).