59
59 is an experimental film anthology I created for the 2017 Level Ground Artist-In-Residence program. The completed anthology was displayed as an installation in late spring 2017. Vice Magazine's Creators series featured the show in the piece, "This Short Film Series Isn't For You." In creating the project, I had the following self-imposed restrictions:
One film a month had to be created between May 2016 and April 2017.
Each film had to be exactly 59 seconds.
Each film had to be created with a different collaborator, preferably from a different discipline.
I could not be the sole originator of any of the ideas; they had to be created in full collaboration with the respective artists.
The artistic collaborators could not be cis men.
Over the year, I collaborated with dancer and choreographer Angelina Prendergast; actor and activist Madeline Merritt; painter and Unitarian Universalist minister KC Slack; poet and musician DeiSelah Thompson; Emmy-award winning documentarian Maranatha Hay and her filmmaker cousin Jackie Hay; fashion designer and sculptor Sheridan Wolf; sculptor and painter Tatiana El-Khouri; performance poet Jaqueline Suskin; activist and poet Jade Phoenix; photographer and filmmaker Sarah London; and documentarian and photographer Rae Threat.
Selections from the project as well as images from the installation are below.
View the project trailer. (Content Note: Contains nudity)
To see the entire anthology of 59 films, please email leslief.muse@gmail.com for a private link.
59.2
59.2 was created with actor, filmmaker, and activist Madeline Merritt. Features: Madeline Merritt, Zuri Adele, and Jerry Nessis.
59.5
59.5 was created with filmmakers Maranatha Hay and Jackie Hay. Features: Stephanie Godinez and Unati Mangaliso.
59.9
59.9 was created with poet and activist Jade Phoenix Martinez. Features: Jade Phoenix, Reyna Ripper, and Jade Hambaro.
59.10
59.10 was created with photographer and director Sarah London. Features Siana-äiti Moirae and Sarah London.
Spring 2017 Installations | Aerial House & Iron Triangle Brewery - Los Angeles, CA
Photo Credit: Cole Montgomery and Amanda Kari McHugh