One of the primary interests of rednoW are the questions in which a particular piece of art asks of us - asks of humanity. Though it is a reasonable argument that art does not always exist for these purposes (to ask questions), it is often a starting point.
If you take on the view that the "questions" we ask tend to shape or greatly impact our expierences - shape the way in which we interact with the world, then their role within any creative process seems feasible.
There is something both freeing and frustrating by the fact that we can choose how/if we interact with a particular something. For example: Yesterday, I spent nine hours driving through what is arguably the worst stretch of interstate in America (I-57)... no landscape... no surprises... no Chipotles. If there was a question posed that framed my driving experience - say "Is this in fact the arm pit of our nation?" - then, it is not difficult for me to look for data that supports this claim... or of course - data that refutes it. This reality might be most visible today in our political world... how do we see our potential Presidential candidates? Corrupt? Hopeful? Human? What distinguishes between "actual" and "possible"?
Well... we could obviously go down this road in numerous ways; however, as it relates to this discussion and the following short - the question that seems most interesting is "What do you want to hear/see/know?" What do you want a 9-hour drive to be? How do you want to perceive a particular candidate?
And maybe more importantly... What do these "wants" say about our questions?
The moment we begin to ponder these questions we find ourselves in the familiar subjective/objective conundrum. Is something true because it's the way you see it? Believe it to be? Want it to be? Or is it true outside of you?
Well... it is here that we broach going too far into a particular piece without letting it ask/speak for itself.
On a personal note, this is one of my favorite "content" shorts of all time (a piece created via particular questions) - and was surprised this week to realize it was not in the rednoW mix yet. The short is entitled "The Select Fit" and was written and directed by Daniel Roemer. This is definitely a piece worth watching a couple of times - once for its tecnical and editing brilliance - the other for its commentary on our discussion above. The short is available for purchase through the Damah Film Festival collection (Volume IV). Plenty to "wonder" about, so...
Enjoy.
------
The Select Fit
Written and Directed by Daniel Roemer
