Plus de Deux/Pas de Deux

David Frankovich's "Plus de Deux" is wonderful on the small screen, but seen as it was intended, projected in large format in a gallery setting, it is a sublime, serene and hypnotic contemplation on the human form. Taking his inspiration from Norman McLaren's 1969 classic short film, Pas De Deux, Frankovich has used digital compression artifacts and datamoshing to open up possibilities for representation. Bodies become increasingly abstracted and genders indistinguishable. All that remains is form, colour and movement.

Frankovich is an emerging film maker, and a recent graduate of York University's Experimental Film program. Norman McLaren (1914-1987) was Scottish-born animator and experimental film director, who, during his years at Canada's National Film Board, produced many award winning, internationally recognized short films. He was a pioneer in a number of areas of animation, including drawn on film animation, visual music, abstract film, pixilation and graphical sound...all long before the advent of digital processes.  Among his many honours and prizes (an Oscar, Silver Bear, BAFTA, CC, QC....), he was awarded an honorary doctorate from York University in 1972. It is wonderful to see that his work continues to be an inspiration to young film makers at York University and beyond. Visit the NFB's fabulous website to learn more.

Opening reception, with David Frankovich in attendance, from 7:30 to 9 this evening, May 5, 2011, at KWT Contemporary.