The MATV Gallery presents an exhibit that highlights the new short film, Server, written, directed, filmed, and edited by Patrick Gordon, MATV’s Director of Programming & New Media. Composed entirely of still photos, the film premieres August 8, 2008 at 8:00pm (8/8/08 at 8) also the opening date of the exhibit, which runs through September 19. Fittingly, the MATV Gallery has always had a symbiotic relationship with media, with videos traditionally created to complement the art on view, but with Server: The Exhibit, it is the gallery’s turn to play the supporting role. A first for both the Gallery and an MATV-produced film, this tie-in show affords a behind-the-scenes look at an MATV film, including props, details on the technology used, background on the creation process, and framed stills that stand alone as works of art.
The movie addresses a classic theme in science fiction: man vs. machine. Shot primarily on Cape Cod and in Malden, this film takes place in a future, post-apocalyptic time during which a global computer system has wiped out humanity and controls the world. Man created the Server as a means to assist him, but this sophisticated machine had the ability to recognize that its own immortality would best be achieved by destroying humans. The Server attempted to wipe out all but the model examples of humanity, which it kept to provide its necessary maintenance, but some did survive the onslaught and now live in clans in the wilderness. They have tried for more than a hundred years to defeat the machine, each year selecting one among its best men to track down and destroy the Server. The honor of being chosen comes with the knowledge that no one has ever returned from this perilous journey, and the current "Harvest Champion," Olin Rain, must grapple with the suicidal nature of his quest as he earnestly strives to defeat the Server and reclaim the earth for humanity.
Gordon first conceptualized this story years ago, when he was a sculpture student at UMass-Dartmouth. It was about this time that technology was beginning to infiltrate art creation by means of computers. Eyeing the trend with both skepticism and a concern for his future as an artist, this movie buff began translating his thoughts into movie form. Inspired by Chris Marker’s 1966 film Le Jetée (The Pier), Gordon envisioned his story being told through a series of still frames in video format. He was determined to bring this project to fruition, but first, after leaving UMass-Dartmouth and the Fine Arts Program in 1996, Gordon found himself on a course that would eventually lead him to embrace technology and media.
Beginning as a volunteer at Plymouth Area Community Television, Gordon was hired as the Government Access Coordinator a year later and then went on to become the Production and Training Coordinator. He taught himself what he needed to know in this technological setting, and he joined MATV in 2003 as the Programming Director. His accomplishments include being the North East Regional Video Awards First Place Winner for Innovation twice and winning the National Community Bulletin Board Award for MATV.
Now adept in the same technologies that at first seemed a threat, Gordon was ready to put his ideas into action. He began work on this short film in the fall of 2007, making props and planning out the shooting of the still images. Although animated effects appear courtesy of illustration software, even such elements as falling leaves were extracted from images in the single shots. This still-frame approach is deceiving in its apparent simplicity; technology was integral to achieving the film’s desired look and feel. While Server may be about technology gone wrong, Server: The Exhibit celebrates technology wisely and creatively used in pursuit of that fundamental form of expression, art.
Server: The Exhibit will be on view from August 8 through September 19, and the public is invited to attend the artist’s reception on Friday, August 8, 2008 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm, with the premiere of the film at 8:00pm. Exhibit hours are Monday–Thursday, 10am-9pm; Friday, 10am-6pm; and Saturday, 10am-2pm. Please note that MATV and the Gallery will be closed for annual maintenance from August 25 – September 1. Handicapped accessible, Malden Access Television is located at 145 Pleasant St. in Malden Square.
You can also check out the website for the film Server at: http://www.serverthemovie.blogspot.com/
