Shirley Clarke

Galaxie

Gregory J. Markopoulos

Parker Tyler, Storm De Hirsch

In March and April of 1966, Markopoulos created this filmic portrait of writers and artists from his New York circle, including Parker Tyler, W. H. Auden, Jasper Johns, Susan Sontag, Storm De Hirsch, Jonas Mekas, Allen Ginsberg, and George and Mike Kuchar, most observed in their homes or studios. Filmed in vibrant color, Galaxie pulses with life. It is a masterpiece of in-camera composition and editing, and stands as a vibrant response to Andy Warhol's contemporary Screen Tests.

He Stands in a Desert Counting the Seconds of His Life

Jonas Mekas

Kenneth Anger, Adolfo Arrieta

A film collage tracing the story of the lives, loves, and deaths within the artistic community surrounding Jonas Mekas.

Diaries, Notes, and Sketches

Jonas Mekas

Timothy Leary, Ed Emshwiller

An epic portrait of the New York avant-garde art scene of the 60s.

Birth of a Nation

Jonas Mekas

Chantal Akerman, Kenneth Anger

Filmmaker Jonas Mekas films 160 underground film people over four decades.

Skyscraper

D. A. Pennebaker, Wheaton Galentine

Nominated for an Academy Award, this live-action short film playfully chronicles the construction of the Tishman Building at 666 Fifth Avenue in New York City.

Brussels Loops

Martus Granirer, Andre Kaufman

A collection of twenty short films, averaging 2-3 minutes, by various filmmakers depicting American life, intended to be shown in a continuous loop at the American Pavilion of the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. Some releases of the film include ten extra minutes of rough cuts.

Ornette: Made in America

Shirley Clarke

Ornette Coleman, William S. Burroughs

Shirley Clarke's frenetic documentary about multi-talented musician Ornette Coleman.

The Connection

Shirley Clarke

Warren Finnerty, Jerome Raphael

A title card announces that the film is a result of found footage assembled by cameraman J.J. Burden working for the acclaimed documentary filmmaker Jim Dunn, who has disappeared. Leach, a heroin addict, introduces the audience to his apartment where other heroin addicts, a mix of current and former jazz musicians, are waiting for Cowboy, their drug connection, to appear. Things go out of control as the men grow increasingly nervous and the cameraman keeps recording.

Portrait of Jason

Shirley Clarke

Jason Holliday, Shirley Clarke

Interview with Jason Holliday aka Aaron Payne. House-boy, would-be cabaret performer, and self-proclaimed hustler giving one man's gin-soaked, pill-popped view of what it was like to be coloured and gay in 1960s Unites States. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

Bridges-Go-Round

Shirley Clarke

New York City's various bridges transform into an urban jungle (jazz version) or an alien landscape (electro-acoustic version).

Four Journeys Into Mystic Time: Trans

Shirley Clarke

Carol Warner

Part of the larger filmic Four Journeys Into Mystic Time, in this work director Shirley Clarke makes use of a dancer’s body not only as the primary performer, but also as a canvas on which to paint projected images. Further enhanced by editing and effective use of shadows, the film is a transformative experience.

Rome brûle

André S. Labarthe, Noël Burch

Shirley Clarke, Jacques Rivette

Documentary about filmmaker Shirley Clarke which originally aired on the French television series “Cinéastes de notre temps”.

*A Moment in Love*

Shirley Clarke

Carmela Gutierrez, Paul Sanasardo

A couple in love interacts across a multitude of environments.

Home Movies #20: Dance Tests

Shirley Clarke

Bert Clarke, Daniel Nagrin

Home Movies #20: Dance Tests dates from 1953 and shows Shirley Clarke working on her film technique before she shot her first "official" film later that year--'Dance in the Sun' starring the dancer Daniel Nagrin.

In Paris Parks

Shirley Clarke

Wendy Clarke

This short film displays the dynamic movement of people as they enter and exit parks in Paris.

Four Journeys Into Mystic Time: One Two Three

Shirley Clarke

Lynda Davis, Clay Taliaferro

An abstract work featuring three dancers, the performers interact with large screens as well as each other. Included in Shirley Clarke’s Four Journeys Into Mystic Time, costuming and color play an integral role in this piece.