Up and Out

Known for his interest in the recording process, Marclay’s cinematic work has been less explored. In Vertigo: Soundtrack for an Exhibition or video works such as Telephones (136 rapidly edited clips of Hollywood actors engaged in phone conversations) and also Up and Out, Christian Marclay’s work reveals an interest in aspects of the audio track in feature film making and in the predominance of the visual over the auditory in our culture. In Up and Out, the soundtrack of a film classic is laid over the visuals of another film classic. The driving force behind each of these suspense narratives is a clue to solving a murder. In the first the clue lies buried in a photograph while in the other film it is found recorded on tape. Marclay complicates interpretations of both films while creating an entirely new experience, where the visual and auditory elements are perceived at times autonomously and at other times in apparent synchronization. This work is shown together with not yet, by Jim O’Rourke. This is the only finished and screened film by this musician so far. He uses a scene from one of the classics of Up and Out. The camera revolves around a sound technician who enters his studio and discovers that all his magnet tapes have been erased. The physical effect of this disorientating scene is enhanced by double printing and an eerie, floating soundtrack.