#Power

Synopsis: A series of  metaphorical studies on power

Director Statement

During the COVID lockdown in the three countries, I had the chance to witness a different type of power struggle. I felt a new awareness coming across the world about #freedom and #liberation and #kindness of the mind. But also a polarised view of internal choices, a fragmentation of feelings, and the urge to keep sharing our thoughts and speaking without being engulfed by darkness. Since then, the gulf has increased, reaching a tipping point.

This power struggle can be examined through philosophical research on power balance, which explores how authority and influence shift within societies, often revealing underlying tensions and inequities. Historically, such shifts are cyclical, reflecting the repetition of history where similar patterns of conflict and resolution emerge over time. The lockdown period and the current conflicts highlighted these dynamics as people grappled with newfound constraints and freedoms, mirroring past societal upheavals. These patterns are an insight into the recurring nature of human conflict and the perpetual quest for equilibrium in power relationships.

In this microfilm, AR poster, and face filter, I explored themes of rebellion, resistance, control, submission, division, and conquest through a minimalist style. Using hands and feet as central motifs represents the fundamental tools of human action and interaction, symbolizing the capacity for oppression and liberation. These body parts are universally recognizable and relatable, making the visual narrative accessible while emphasizing the physical and metaphorical struggles embedded in the human experience.

The choice to loop the film first in black and white and then in white and black serves to underline the cyclical nature of power dynamics and historical repetition. This inversion of colour schemes highlights the shifting perceptions and roles within societal structures, illustrating how perspectives can change depending on one's position within the power hierarchy. The stark contrast between black and white and white and black invites the audience to reflect on the perpetual dance between dominance and resistance. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the rawness and intensity of the emotions conveyed, while the repetitive looping underscores the relentless and often unresolved nature of the depicted conflicts.

The soundtrack was crafted in collaboration with Stuart Hilton. The choice of drums, reminiscent of a military march, evokes a sense of order, discipline, and the often rigid structures of power and control. This martial cadence underscores the themes of rebellion, resistance, control, and submission, reinforcing the tension between authority and defiance. Simultaneously, the drums also mimic the sound of a heartbeat, introducing a visceral, human element to the film. This duality in the soundtrack reflects the personal and collective struggles depicted in the imagery, merging the external forces of societal control with the internal rhythms of individual existence. The relentless, looping drumbeats parallel the cyclical nature of historical power struggles, adding an auditory layer that enhances the film’s exploration of the perpetual dance between dominance and resistance.

This microfilm is likely one of my shortest and roughest works, reflecting our tumultuous times. The relentless political drama that pervades our lives leaves little room to craft well-made, intricate stories. Instead, I respond with broader concepts in brief pieces, developing and refining them slowly. Rather than constructing a narrative that, in my mind, quickly becomes obsolete in our fast-paced world, I aim to capture the essence over time, the sentiment that keeps on looping in my mind. This is also probably due to my life being trapped bureaucratically and emotionally and my newfound self-awareness. Or maybe I mastered the art of making a lot of noise out of nothing.

Alongside the microfilm, I take the AR and IG filter on tour in guerilla exhibition to various locations I travel to, integrating the short film, artefact, and images into different settings. This process allows me to leave a subtle trace of my work in each place, akin to the Cave of Hands, or Cueva de las Manos, found in Argentina. This cave is famous for its stencilled outlines of human hands, created by the Indigenous people between 13,000 and 9,000 years ago. A significant example of early human art. The AR and IG filters bring an additional dimension to this project. In one aspect, they situate the short film, artefacts, and images within the unique locations I travel to, embedding the narrative into the physical world. A mark of temporary existence, much like the ancient handprints in the Cave of Hands in Argentina. In another aspect, the face filters allow viewers to wear the artwork, making it a personal experience that transcends physical boundaries.

By doing so, I create a series of site-specific art pieces that resonate with the local environment, each iteration adding a new layer of meaning to the overall narrative of the microfilm. This multi-platform approach not only broadens the work's accessibility but also deepens its impact, inviting audiences to engage with the themes of power dynamics in both communal and intimate settings.

Director and Animator: Kim Noce
Music: Stuart Hilton
https://kimnoce.wordpress.com/2024/05/06/power/

Film
Length: 1:30 sec
Size:  1920x1080 HD 16:9 H264
Stereo
Colour
https://vimeo.com/kimnoce/power
https://filmfreeway.com/Power2024 
p #POWER

AR Face Filter
https://www.instagram.com/ar/2457794977739057/
https://www.facebook.com/fbcameraeffects/tryit/2457794977739057/
Length: 15-sec loop
Size:  1080x1080 HD 1:1 H264

Augmented Reality
Artvive platform
Length: 30 sec loop
Size:  1920x1080 HD 16:9 H264

Exhibitions AR

2024 China - Beijing
2024 Italy - Venice, Venice Biennale
2024 Annecy - France
2023 UK, London & Brighton
2022 Italy - Milan - Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera
2021 Nepal _ Kathmandu and Pokhara