Video Poem

Shot in Berlin Germany during summer 2010, and Vancouver BC during winter 2009, Self, Somebody, Specimen, Sprit is a contemplative video poem that depicts animals, insects, and people in ordinary scenes, that seem to be caught in a state of somnambulance.


The piece opens with scientific archival footage of a cat sleepwalking and continues with a spare, stirring text, composed by the artist, accompanying brief shots that meditate, with a metaphysical tone, on personhood and care for individuals.
At intervals, a square lens held by the artist is placed in front of the camera lens, adding a level of mediation to the image and defining the artist as a guide. At the conclusion, this guide suggests a set of general life instructions to the viewer that seem comforting, caring, yet ethereal and elusive. 


Self, Somebody, Specimen, Sprit by artist, Sarah Rushford is an Official Selection of the Glovebox Film and Animation Festival.  See the film June 11, 2011 at the Somerville Theatre at 5:00PM.  See the Official Festival Schedule and Information on tickets.