Lovesong Collection

LOVESONG 2 is a rapid recapitulation of the tactics of Lovesong, without the multiple rhythms of variable step-printing: it is a straight frame-to-frame 'run-through' of similar (albeit newly painted) images of love-making.

Three qualities of hand- painted imagery inter-weave throughout this film: (1) a mash of thick lines delineating colored shapes, (2) thin black lines, like drawings, which most suggest recognizable body-parts, and (3) globs of pure color at inter-play with each other. An irregularity of rhythm (produced by repetition of frames 2, 3 and 4 times) creates the sense of a driving force propelling the inter-weave of these essentially abstract displays: three-fourths of the way through the rhythmic intensity falters, 'breaks down' as it were, almost becomes a mockery of its earlier sexual regularity. Instead of variety midst regular beat, the forms suggest some loose variance. Two formal factors seem to 'save the day,' as it were: (1) an increase of beseeming textures, and (2) interruptive white flashes; and these create a meaningful (rhythmically and tonally coherent) ending.

This lush, sensuous film is based on paintings of unusual variety and intricacy. Brakhage's desire to include all the complexities of living in his work is evident in this "love song."

A natural companion piece to Lovesong 3, this (also hand-painted) work counterbalances the rhythmic irregularities and, one might say, temporal despairs with a steadiness of beat, creating an absolute progression of formal feeling and meaning. The sense of line drawings, and consequent pictorial representation has given way to shape-in-space composed of only four colors: Lavender, Purple, Green, and Turquoise. Their dance with the darkness suggests an inter-action of bodies. At end there's a flare to a field of white within which a very tiny shape (almost like lips) pulses and finally flickers out.

A hand-painted work beginning with a thicket of curled black lines over flesh tones shaping briefly into sex organs. There is a sense of pulsing darkness which breaks ints curled lines into coupling body forms which then settle back into something like the beginning of the film. Lovesong 6 Bright and very "hot" non-organic hand-painted colors and interweaving forms which darken intil cracks of ephemeral blues appear. There is, throughout, a gentle rhythmic "push" of hot-colored forms against each other, a sense of totally pervasive calm. Finally the textures of cracks gives way to some sense of sands-but as a softness. The lines which suggest coupling exist finally as if rubbed smooth by shifts of grain and gently shattered forms.