FILM/EXHIBITION:
MICAH BLOOM, "Codex:" A post-flood struggle
between nature, humanity and the printed word
EVENT:
Film and exhibition
DATES:
Public film debut: March 5 at 7:30 p.m.
(Aleshire Theater, Harnett Hall)
Reception: Following film
(Northwest Art Center Gallery)
Exhibition: March 5-April 5
ONLINE:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/1984027192/codex
Codex: A post-flood struggle between nature, humanity and the printed word
Minot's great flood of 2011 has inspired numerous, creative projects, but the approach of artist Micah Bloom, assistant professor of art, is singularly unique. For the last year, Bloom has been directing and producing a film titled "Codex," which follows debris displaced by the swollen Souris River, specifically, hundreds of books. Over these 15 or so months, Bloom and his Codex team have diligently been researching, filming and collecting, as they create a poetic narrative, reflecting on personal loss and the plight of the printed book. He has also prepared an art exhibition to accompany and augment the film.
Believing this film and art exhibition will assist with the grieving process related to this disaster, Bloom and Minot State invite the community to attend the debut screening of the film and view the installation of artifacts, Tuesday, March 5, 7:30 p.m. in Aleshire Theater. "Codex" also identifies with other, larger themes, reflecting on the relationship of the traditional book and the eBook, and the beauty of text and paper under nature's effects.
Working with a pool of volunteers, Bloom joined with numerous students, fellow MSU faculty and friends to create a film that addresses the historical significance and recent depreciation of the printed word. The project takes its title from the common, multipage book form known as "codex."
"'Codex' involves the collecting and documenting of hundreds of books that were relocated in the trees, under water — and they are becoming homes to animals, harbingers of the encroaching digital age, metaphors for loss, excess and obsolescence," Bloom said.
Daniel Norby, English instructor at Hmong College Prep Academy, St. Paul, Minn., will provide the essay for the Codex photo book.
"The submerged, weathered and otherwise unreadable books are removing themselves from the human interaction necessary to give them a voice. This has great irony too as (the) film preserves the 'last words' — really the death rattle of these books before they further make their journey towards their end of existence.
"These images clearly tug at the heartstrings of those of us who connect with the feel of the page, the paper and ink of a new book. 'Codex' also resonates with those who find the book passé — a relic of the past that's had a great run but like the obelisk or the scroll it's served its purpose," Norby articulated as he watched the project unfold.
Bloom lives in Minot, N.D., and teaches art at Minot State University. He has been selected for numerous artist-in-residence fellowships and published his work in literary and art journals. Bloom shows work nationally and internationally. In addition, he has shown in private galleries in China and has received grants to travel and exhibit at Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art.
Please view the "Codex" trailer at www.vimeo.com/51961711.
Minot Daily News story: www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/571204
More information on the project: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1984027192/codex
The film debut is free and open to the public. Parking is unrestricted on campus after 4:30 p.m.
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Published: 02/25/13 |