Private Project

'Chthonic Fatigue Syndrome'

‘Chthonic Fatigue Syndrome’ is an experimental film of invented illnesses, light language, and Nü Age body aesthetics framed by eerie black & white infrared thermal (IRT) video. Underworld spa enthusiasts Marne Lucas and Tyler Hubby explore Nü Age wellness culture of the Chthonic realm (pronounced “thonic”) where one may bask in the darkness of their soul while their skin absorbs soothing ancient mud sourced from ancient funeral pyre charcoal. Using heat-sensitive military imaging technology, bodily heat signatures appears white, and cold or wet areas are black. Filmed on Maui, Hawaii and Portland, Oregon.

  • Marne Lucas
    Director
  • Tyler Hubby
    Director
    The Operation, Haute Flash
  • Marne Lucas
    Writer
  • Tyler Hubby
    Writer
    Tony Conrad: Completely in the Present
  • Marne Lucas
    Key Cast
    "merkaba"
  • Cara Griffin
    Key Cast
    "merkaba"
  • Kate Thompson
    Key Cast
    "merkaba"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    infrared thermal video, scifi, black and white, art & science
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 30, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    b&w infrared thermal video
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • SPACORE Exhibition at Co-Prosperity Gallery
    Chicago
    United States
    April 1, 2023
    North American premiere
    Official Selection- 'Spacore' art exhibition curated by Serena Vje and Rudolph Lingens.
  • Chicago Underground Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    September 16, 2023
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Marne Lucas, Tyler Hubby

MARNE LUCAS is a multidisciplinary artist working at the intersection of art, science and health, using conceptual overlaps: life’s energy, intimacy, the body, mortality and transformation in social practice investigations. An infrared thermal video pioneer, Lucas uses heat-sensitive military grade imaging technology to illuminate the magic and fragility of human life cycles. Lucas' first film ‘The Operation’ with Jacob Pander screened at CUFF 1996.
The ‘Bardo ∞ Project explores creativity as a form of spiritual care in collaborations with terminally ill artists nationwide to establish their legacy. Towards this, Lucas became a trained End of Life Doula, a role that supports the dying and their families.
Lucas exhibits worldwide at Plaxall Gallery (NYC), The Brand Library (Los Angeles), PICA (Oregon), Fremantle Arts Centre (Perth, AU), Space Plus (Lincoln, U.K), Peltz Gallery (London), and the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (Spain). Lucas presented her infrared thermal video work at Taboo-Transgression-Technology in Art and Science (2020 Vienna) and at ‘Transitional States: Hormones at the Crossroads of Art and Science’; (2018 UK/EU). Lucas received UMEZ Arts Engagement grants (2022, 2021, 2018) administered by LMCC (New York).

TYLER HUBBY'S most recent directorial effort, the feature documentary, 'Tony Conrad: Completely in the Present' was called "joyous, exhilarating and transformative", "a canonical work of cinema" and "an inspiring film that any creative person or fan of the arts should see." The film toured the world in conjunction with live performances by Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth; Imaad Wasif & Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs; Animal Collective & Matmos; Stephen O'Malley of Sunn O))); Jim O'Rourke & Keiji Haino; David Grubbs, MV Carbon & Jennifer Walshe.
Tyler is a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute where he studied film and photography. His subversive and irreverent short films have screened internationally and are featured in the book "Cinema Contra Cinema" by British cult historian Jack Sargeant.
Hubby has been working in independent film for over 20 years and has edited over 30 documentaries including The Devil and Daniel Johnston; The Great Invisible; The Final Member; the HBO documentary A Small Act; the Peabody Award-winning For My County; and Double Take, by Belgian artist Johan Grimonprez. He co-wrote and edited Desolation Center and edited and co-produced 'Lost Angels: Skid Row is My Home' and 'Bad Brains: Band' in DC.
www.tylerhubby.com

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Nü Age wellness culture, invented illnesses, and underworld aesthetics are framed by black and white IRT heat-sensitive military imaging technology. The film was created for 'SPACORE' 2023 an exhibition curated by Serena JV Elston and Rudolf Lingens, "the show features forty-five artists from around the country interrogating wellness capitalism in the midst of global illness."
https://www.spacore.skin/
The two filmmakers Marne Lucas and Tyler Hubby met at the Chicago Underground Film Festival in 1996 and have remained close friends. They share a love of goth culture, dead things, fringe film, parody, and the aesthetics of 70's coffee commercials.