Molly Ayotte

For The Maine Campus

Sergio Afonso

Forty students and professors gathered in the new Innovative Media Research and Communications Center in Stewart Hall last Tuesday night to catch of glimpse of award-winning video performance artist Alix Pearlstein.

Pearlstein started off her presentation with a video she directed in 2012 called “Moves in the Field.” Set in a white and seamless room, various performers and actors had been previously instructed to walk around the space, look at each other, and look at the steady camera. There was no narration or musical accompaniment. Pearlstein spoke over the video, divulging her “desire to activate effective space between the actor and the camera.” She achieved this post-modern status by letting the performers speak for themselves and develop their own on-screen relationships.

Pearlstein said her main objectives when directing include a minimalistic point of view, a unique take on humanism, explorations of framed space and internal conflict. She believes that even though there is no audible dialogue in most of her videos, the viewer is still able to see a main protagonist emerge. Pearlstein described this technique as, “performing, but not acting.” Her style of directing allows for narrative to creep between the cracks.

Pearlstein described her research process prior to shooting a video as “making connections.” She spends several months online researching, writing and watching numerous films. Her goal is always to find something that inspires her and “intentionally reworking the original.” Some of her biggest influences include Michael Snow and Béla Tarr.

Some of Pearlstein’s video titled “Talent” pays homage to “A Chorus Line.” The idea of placing performers in front of mirrored walls and in front of a camera mimics the effect of having an audience. Pearlstein wants to evoke certain feelings in her performers that portray feelings of “Look at me! Feel me! Care about me!” Many of the actors she uses in her videos are friends of hers and popular performers in her home of New York City.

During the Q-and-A portion of the presentation, a member of the audience asked Pearlstein why she uses professional actors instead of pedestrians if her work is so minimalist. She explained her work is more about “stripping down.” According to Pearlstein, it is really challenging for professional actors to perform without any script or blocking. Pearlstein said that it really shows “what they can do when there is nothing to do.” She allows them to bring their own presence on screen and decide how much attention they think they need. She also said she is very open and values suggestions from her performers, although Pearlstein made it very clear that her work has room for interpretation but not improvisation.

Pearlstein was born, raised and currently lives in New York City. She acquired her bachelor’s degree at Cornell University, and later her master’s degree from the Purchase College of the State University of New York. Over the years, her work has been featured in many solo exhibitions and performances all across the nation, with a few group exhibitions overseas. Pearlstein has participated in several critiques and has served on the Alumni Artist’s Panel at Cornell. She was awarded the Grants to Artists Award in 2011 by the Foundation of Contemporary Arts.

The University of Maine’s Fall Artist Lecture Series is hosting painter Dudley Zopp on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. in 104 IMRC Stewart Hall. For a complete list of the series, please visit intermediamfa.org. All events are free and open to the public.