Levitated
Mass (2013/First Run Features DVD)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: B Film: B+
Levitated
Mass is an interesting documentary about a pioneering land artist
named Michael Heizer who sees his vision realized over the course of
40 some years- a 340-ton boulder affixed above a concrete trench
through which visitors may walk. The nature, expense and scale of
the installation made it an instant topic of discussion within the
art world.
The
film, Levitated Mass, is the story of a rock star; the artist
behind the sensation; a $10 million, 22-city tour; and the
international media storm that ensued -but not in the way you might
expect. Prominently displayed outside the Los Angeles County Museum
of Art, renowned and reclusive land artist Michael Heizer's
'Levitated Mass' gained worldwide recognition during its
installation in 2012. Over the course of 10 nights, a 340-ton solid
granite boulder crawled through Southern California neighborhoods on
a 294-foot-long, 206-wheeled trailer, drawing hundreds of camera
crews and cell phone shooters alike to document its journey. Tens of
thousands of people came out to watch the megalith travel through
their communities to its final resting place over a 456-foot-long
negative space formed by a concrete slot.
Levitated
Mass is one of the only pieces of art in recent history to inspire
such a reaction in pop culture, bringing together the art community,
public officials, and the general population to debate the merits and
pitfalls of a giant stone suspended above their heads. What if it
falls on someone? The idea of stability had to be taken into serious
consideration. What is interesting is how simple of a concept the
piece is but how much complexity goes into creating it, transporting
it without damaging it, and finally suspending it so that it is safe
are some of the focuses on the film.
Sound
and Picture on the disc are standard for the DVD format with a
standard definition image and the option of a standard, lossy Dolby
Digital 2.0 Stereo or a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track that is fine
for a film of this caliber. As always, a Blu-ray release would be
beneficial.
Extras
on the disc include:
Short
Films: The Rig
The
Public Response
The
Artwork about Michael Heizer
About
LACMA
About
the Filmmakers
The
film is sharply directed and edited and is a great piece for artists
(or inspiring ones) and will hopefully inspire you!
-
James
Harland Lockhart V
www.facebook.com/jhl5films
