Response to Miranda July
Post a response essay to Miranda July's film Me and You and Everyone We Know and/or performance. Here's that link to what is a response essay for guidelines.
To those of you who tried to get into the talk but were turned away at the door, I am so sorry that they ran out of tickets and I was unable to snag any priority seats. I very much appreciate your efforts to attend, and hope that you are not too disappointed. Anyone who missed the talk can listen to the podcast and view the video archive linked to from the Art, Technology and Culture Colloquium homepage: http://atc.berkeley.edu, but these usually take a few days to become available. I know that there was a lot of waiting and queueing for everyone who came, whether you were able to get tickets or not, so again I appreciate the extra time you invested.
Perhaps those who did attend the talk/performance could fill in the rest of the class with your take on what transpired, particularly Ben and Stephanie who participated in making a video with July.
Also, I put my copies of the following Miranda July works on reserve in the Media Resources Center:
The Amateurist (1998, 14 min.) in Joanie 4 Jackie 4Ever
Nest of Tens (2000, 27 min.)
Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005) and Getting Stronger Every Day (2001, 7 min) in Peripheral Produce’s All-Time Greatest Hits are in the MRC's collection and also available for viewing.
posted by Irene Chien @ 12:16 AM
13 comments
13 Comments:
Miranda July is as quirky and eccentric as you would imagine her to be. I feel her overall presentation was out of the ordinary, more entertaining than someone standing there talking about themselves for 2 hours. The talk seemed to be a reflection of her character. Throughout the night, the way she outlined her presentation and crossed it off, to the way she reacted to facilitating an auction, she was exactly as I had expected her to be. That leads me to question: How much of an actor’s personality is placed into all their acting roles? And how does that rub off on how we, as the audience, expect the actor to be in real life?
In Miranda’s case, the eccentric and spontaneous character she plays in Me and You and Everyone We Know seems to not have been an acting role, but just her on camera. When I was able to go and participate in the making of a video she would later show in her presentation, the way she talked to us was just as I expected. Her character in Me and You and Everyone We Know is spontaneous and a bit kooky, jumping into stranger’s cars and presenting talking picture frames to strangers, yet she has a very friendly appeal. And as I interacted with her, I could see a part of her character in her normal self. Her spontaneity showed even more when she had an audience member come down in the middle to tap dance and show her what she is missing out on with her busy schedule. Also, she had an auction of various little objects (a used toothbrush?!) she obtained from people standing in line, and donating that money to an audience member who really needed it; it was all very fun and quirky. It kept it being the type of show I think she didn’t want: the deafening silence from the audience as she just hears herself speak about herself. She also mentioned that when we were making the video. She doesn’t like the awkward silence, which is why she chooses to perform.
As a whole, I felt the talk was a lot more interesting than I was anticipating. As an individual, she seems very fun, often times showing a side of childlike innocence that is portrayed in Me and You and Everyone We Know. She’s a talented director, who is the same in a small environment (the “holding cell”, as she called it, where we waited while making the video) and in a big environment talking to an audience. I think despite all her fame she has now, she still has a good heart, wanting to make people happy all the time (as shown through her auction give-a-way, her website she showed us, and the theme of her video: praising others). Participating in the making of her video is something I probably won’t forget, and it was a great experience.
Even after watching her film, knowing what to expect from Miranda July’s artist talk was a mystery. It would seem out of place to see a normal lecture, but then a purely digitally presented talk would not make sense either. Would she be just like Christine in the film, or would she be completely different? It turns out no one really knew what to expect, yet when it was all over, it made complete sense. One of the most beautiful things about Miranda July’s movie is that it revolves around bringing together individuals in a generally positive, loving way. From the relationship between Christine and Richard, to the friend ship of Peter and Sylvie, the film creates connections between unrelated individuals. The same is true with Miranda July’s lecture. The whole show seemed to try to create connections between the audience members who would normally never do so. Through a few simple acts, she spurred a connection between an audience member willing to give up a toothbrush, a member willing to buy it, and a member who needed the money, and two completely random audience members spoke a touching family phone call as daughter and father. The night was filled with examples like these, which may seem unusual at the time, yet are perfectly in Miranda July’s style and ideas.
Waiting in line, I was quite antsy, expecting a boring question and answer talk. However, July’s talk was completely opposite of what I expected and quite entertaining. Throughout her talk, she focused on interacting with the audience as if it was just a few friends hanging out and sharing good laughs with each other. From short monologues and dialogues, to making short films, to auctioning unusual items, to flaming answers, she got the audience involved and trying to establish a connection between everyone.
Before meeting July, I wasn’t sure what kind of person she was. Would she be like Christine in Me and You and Everyone We Know or would she reinforce a cold stuck up artist stereotype? Her talk and the close interaction with her during the short filmmaking dispelled any trace of the latter. In Me and You and Everyone We Know, July did not act out a character. Rather she played herself. Throughout this talk, she seemed very down to earth nature, warm and embracing, and quirky and imaginative. She’s budding with love and creativity, evident in her short film and auction. Even though she chose a few random names, receiving any sort of praise leaves a person feeling good and content with himself or herself. The auction seemed so spontaneous and random, especially with the used toothbrush and other various donated items. After auctioning off the items, she donated the money to someone in the audience. I felt as if her whole mission in life was to uplift and provide hope to the distraught and fallen, and show everyone they are loved as unique individuals.
The entire night was an interesting and fun experience, starting from the line up to get into the theater all the way to the walk home. It was nice to spend some time outside of the classroom with my classmates. I thoroughly enjoyed Miranda July’s performance at BAM. I was expecting her to lecture on techniques of moviemaking or her inspirations, instead she decided to be quirky and really participate with the audience. Everything she did was different from what I expected, and I left the theater thinking, “I’ve never witnessed anything like that before.” I am not surprised that Miranda July is whimsical and eccentric, judging by her character, Christine, from Me and You and Everyone We Know. She definitely knows how to have fun in a very innocent way, which is evident in the things she found funny during the evening.
I feel like, in her performance, July tried to foster good things (i.e. compliments and need based grants) that are in short supply in the world, as well as give the audience an insight as to who she is. I must say that Miranda July surprised me with her checklist of things to do. Her video of compliments was a nice touch; I’m all about the affirmations and making people feel appreciated. Although, Nest of Tens was a confusing short, I still don’t know what to make of it. At first the auction was extremely random, but using that money for a need based grant was a cute idea. As July said, too often the people who are in most need get turned away. The tap dancing was again, very random, but it revealed July’s child-like sense of humor. I am not surprised that she enjoys working with children and being around them.
I like that July used the audience; it definitely kept me more engaged throughout the evening. I must admit that I wanted to be cast for one of her many participation opportunities. After seeing Me and You and Everyone We Know and her performance, I have a newfound interest in Miranda July’s works.
Me and You and Everyone We Know was a movie unlike most. There wasn’t this single storyline leading the characters through the film but several interesting subplots, all somehow connecting the seemingly different people together. In the commotion of everyday life, it’s hard to notice the little, quirky things in the way people act. This film, in an artistic way, showcased the eccentricities of certain humans, forcing the audience to view these people in a different light. Every day that goes by, I always wonder if someone were to write a movie about the day in the life of Amy Hanoa, would it be a blockbuster hit or miss? Would people fall asleep from the monotony? Is my life the typical story of an 18-year-old college freshman? This movie made me want more. It inspired me to go out and find an adventure that would be worthwhile. Not so much to impress spectators, but to be there to look back on when I decide to tell my grandchildren the story of my life.
After being mesmerized by her film, I was really excited to attend her talk. I’d visited her website prior to the lecture so I already had an idea of how creative and unique she was. To say the least, I was very impressed with the way she presented her “activities.” She had me bewitched most of the time with her ability to think so quickly “out of the box.” She looked at things in a different way than most other people did and kept her audience involved. Instead of building this boundary between the audience and herself, labeling us “spectators” and her as the “speaker,” she created this cozy family environment which I think made it easier for her to connect with us and understand her. Just as I felt Miranda created this convivial environment with her audience, I felt like our Film class was able to somewhat connect more. Even though we’ve been in class together for the past 12 weeks, we never really have time to chat or shoot the breeze. I feel her talk enabled us to get a little closer and find out a little bit about each other… so her lecture seemed to serve yet another purpose.
In a sense I felt like she was sharing this part of her that was intimate and I felt special to be a part of it. For the first artist talk I’ve ever attended, this one is going to be hard to surpass on my Favorites list.
At first, I expected the talk to be a boring presentation or lecture about Miranda July’s works. However, I was surprised when the talk began and I quickly became interested in what Miranda July had prepared.
What was so different about this talk from other lectures I’ve been to is that Miranda July actually made it interactive. Not only were the activities interesting, but it made us, as the audience, feel a connection between her as well as the other members of the audience.
Even though we didn’t spend a lot of time talking about her past films and projects, the audience really got a sense of her personality and the types of works she does.
There was an upbeat and optimistic feeling throughout the talk, something that I think reflects upon July’s character and the messages in her films. For example, we heard a few touching hypothetical conversations that people posted on her website, and she collected donations from the audience to give to someone who really needed it. Even the point of the short movie the audience made was to lift up others through praise and compliments. I was already interested in Miranda July after seeing Me and You and Everyone We Know. But now, after seeing July’s quirkiness and optimism in person, I’m even more intrigued.
I had heard a little bit about Me and You and Everyone We Know from a few of my friends, so I was expecting a film with several storylines that intertwined. But Miranda July’s performance, on the other hand, I don’t think there was any way I could have prepared myself for it. Even if someone had told me what she was going to do, I don’t think I could have imagined it the way it actually was. First of all, I didn’t realize that Miranda July was actually Christine in the film until the talk/performance. But even knowing that she was the quirky and eccentric character of Christine in the film, I was still expecting a more formal talk about the process of making the film. Though, I was pleasantly surprised with the talk/performance because it was not only completely based on audience involvement, but each of her things on her agenda were things you can’t experience on any old occasion. Answering questions with a lighter was not only fun, but extremely inventive. Miranda July is a fascinating person, and I’m really curious where she comes up with her ideas. Although Me and You and Everyone We Know was predictably like some other movies that connect people’s lives in peculiar ways, it was entertaining because of some of the unique ideas presented. Christine’s use of photographs and video as art was very original, and how Miranda July thought of the “back and forth” thing is beyond me. I shouldn’t have been so surprised at what actually took place at the talk, especially knowing what the director had thought up and included in the film.
Let me just say that I like to look at my day in terms of a deficit and surplus of goodness, and despite missing "Lost" (I'd be so mad if ITunes didn't exist), I think I ended the day with a surplus.
The talk started off with that Anti-Schwarzenegger comment - it was duly uncalled for – this was not a partisan talk. How shameless.
Onto more important issues (well, not really) – the interactive medium in which she gave her talk was outstanding. And as much as I promised myself to resent her for making me miss “Lost”, I really ended up enjoying her weird, upbeat, and quirky personality. I hate to say I laughed. But what was really great was how carefree she was in her presentation – so fun and interactive – if I tried to pull that in my undergrad business class, the miss proper business GSI would have shit her pants (or skirt, or what not). The whole experience was surprisingly extraordinary!
Her little movie was terribly perverse though, with gratuitous nudity. I thought that kid was going to do something horrible to that baby, a la Videodrome. After that poop episode in that other movie, hey...anything’s possible with this July woman.
The physical presence and constant animation and involvement of the presentation is certainly something to look up to, and is quite a revolutionary form - at least for me.
I also agree with everyone else that the presentation exceeded my expectations. I initially thought it was just going to be a question and answers session with Miranda July, but I was wrong, it was actually very interactive and enjoyable. Her personality does mirror her personality in her films. She makes jokes at almost everything making us feel as if she is not some distant and arrogant star, but instead down to Earth. Her presentation offered us a chance to reevaluate ourselves. It allowed us to praise other and to make other feel better about them. One part in particular I enjoyed was the auction, I thought she was going to auction something of real value, but it seems like she used the most bizarre and abstract things. I also enjoyed the mimicking of phone conversations; some were very amusing while some were serious and touching. Throughout the night I found myself thinking if I were to praise someone who would I praise? I found myself to be involved in her presentation. Overall this was a great experience. It was very funny and amusing and it was worth the long wait in line. I feel sorry for the people that weren’t able to make it.
I really did not know what to expect when I went to see Miranda July's performance to be honest. However after I came out of the Berkeley Art Museum I was not impressed. I was hoping their would be some sort of talk about herself or some sort of explanation into why she does her films like that. Nests of Ten was also a very confusing movie to me as I didn’t understand what was going on or the plot. I was hoping there would have been an explanation on that because I never understand any of the points to her movies. I felt that she didn’t explain herself or her works because everyone their were fans of her work that voluntary went and understood her works. However to an ordinary joe like me it just didn’t make any sense. Not saying some of what she does is not good, I really like the website idea but some of her other stuff in the performance was not interesting to me.
For some reason their the audience in the BAM was also very involved. They liked talking as if somebody was actually going to hear them. I remember on a couple instances where an audience member would say something weird and I just wondered why? Like the telephone conversation, there was a guy who already was very vocal in his clapping and laughing, before one of the conversation actually said “ring ring ring.” Also their were people sitting next to us who when they got the lighter, the woman said very loudly “I got PURPLE! YAY!” Didn’t understand that either. No reflection about July’s performance but just one of those things I noticed that I found weird. Miranda July’s performance was not able to really hit home with somebody who is not so into the arts like me and I was not impressed and came out even more confused about her works than before.
In Me And You and Everyone We Know, I felt that Miranda July really made the idea of people connecting through different mediums a beautiful and inspiring thing, even with the "back and forth" of the poop and such. In her talk at the BAM, I felt even more that she has the power to not only show her audience something about connections, but actually create those connections within the audience. I was struck by her innate talent to bring people together, both on-screen and off-screen; she seems to do it with such ease.
In the first segment, where people "praised" other members in the audience, July created an almost instantaneous feeling of closeness and community within the audience. I don't think anyone expected interaction at her discussion, and this segment of "praise" was a nice change from the typical straightforward discussions that are more exercises in patience than engaging conversation. In fact, all of her segments engaged the audience to participate, connect, and interact. The "flame answers" segment at the end was probably my favorite "activity" that Miranda requested of us. I'm positive that she filmed our "flame answers", and we will be part of her art, but I was more amused by the amount of flames that went up to certain questions. For example, the question "Who has thought about global warming today?" received at least 10 answers from what I could see only in front of me. The heavier questions like, "Who has lost a parent?” also struck a chord of sadness within the room. However, the flames seemed to unify everyone in the room in some magical way. Everyone shared something with someone else, and there was never a lone flame in the room.
Ultimately, I found Miranda July’s power to unite and connect people either in her films, or in real life an amazing talent that everyone should experience at some point in their life.
Unforturnately, I was not able to attend the BAM talk with Miranda July on Wednesday. I would very much like to know what went on and what she talked about.
In the movie Me and You and Everyone We Know, one of my favorite scenes was one from the beginning. The scene is where Christine is driving her Edldery Cab with her passenger on the freeway and they see that this man forgot his daughter's goldfish on the roof of his car. I particularly liked this scene because Christine and her passenger were so concerned for this fish and were so sad when this same fish died. I thought this scene was moving because people don't normally react so strongly when they see a stranger's goldfish is in danger. At first this scene was funny because their reaction was so exaggerated, but towards the end when they're so saddened, it made me care for that goldfish too.
Me and You and Everyone we know is a very interesting film, mainly because it ties quite a few characters together in very unusual ways. This technique is similarly used in "Magnolia", "Timecode", and "Crash". Besides the unusual connections, the film is also very self-referential, paralleling events in the film with, for example, Christine's art pieces.
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