(sans femme et sans aviateur) is a browser-based work, that was inspired by Eric Rohmer’s film “The Aviator’s Wife”.
It depicts contemporary Paris, happened upon following the main locations
of the movie.
The film acted as a guide to the discovery of urban situations. The photographic
imagery and the audio material were recorded during walks, bus and metro
rides in October 2007, in a manner similar to the Nouvelle Vague film
maker - although without any pre-arrangements for settings and observations;
and with repeated visits to the locations. My intention was to honour
Rohmer’s
powers to get me interested in Paris, and at the same time make a work
that discovers the city, even if only for myself.
(sans femme et sans
aviateur) consists of four chapters each
depicting different urban areas: the artificial mountainous landscape
of the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. A residential area in the
West. The tourist spots of intelligencia in the centre. The busy, military
guarded Gare de l’Est.
And a bus ride back to Buttes Chaumont. Each of the four chapters is
introduced with an image of the respective street map and with Metro noise.
The work was also made with an intention to use the browser as
a presentation tool that is independent of user interaction. If viewed
on the web (sans femme et sans aviateur) plays for 5-6 mins
and returns to its main page. The structure can be adapted for offline
gallery exhibition loops.
(sans femme et sans aviateur) was supported
by the Arts Council England, North East. It was the first in a series of
works, now under the umbrella title zentralperipher - central-peripheral,
which is going to be added to in the future.
Jorn Ebner, artist and writer, *1966 in
Bremerhaven, Germany, currently based in Berlin. Studies
in English Literature at the Universität
Hamburg [1990-95] and Fine Art at Central Saint Martins
in London [1995-98]. Kunstpreis
Medienforum Münchnen [2001]. AHRB Research Fellow, Newcastle University
[2002-2005].
Since 2000 his works are largely online-based: a suite of
internet works including Leonardo
Log [2004], Leif
Codices [2003], Lee
Marvin Toolbox [2001] were animated, interactive drawings -
tools for existence. Since 2008 his new pieces including (sans
femme...),
audio work
(the tender indifference), and («Feuerland») are
non-interactive spatial examinations.
His online audio works
include Which---Side [2007],
a downloadable song-sculpture (Newcastle City Council public art programme
commission 2007), and Leonardo
Log (Klanglandschaft) [2002], originally a walkable installation
at iCamp Neues Theater, München.
Ebner’s works have been featured in various exhibitions & Festivals
(Siggraph; FILE; Stuttgarter Filmwinter; Viper; selection FILE Rio. Ars
Electronica Festival 2008 & 2006 commissioned visualisations for Elliott
Carter and John Cage performances by the Bruckner Orchestra. Recent exhibitions
2009: Paperpool,
Doerrie*Priess,
Hamburg; Uncommon Ground, Vane,
Newcastle upon Tyne; [12]
Japan Media Art Festival, National Art Center, Tokyo. Contemporary
Flânerie, Oakland University
Gallery, Rochester.