Uncanny TV!
Any other suggestions for uncanny TV, uncanny films, videos, books, places etc?? Please post here.........................................
posted by maria edney at 9:58 AM
Monday, May 22, 2006
Any other suggestions for uncanny TV, uncanny films, videos, books, places etc?? Please post here.........................................
6 Comments:
Hi Stewart, I'm not familiar with the philosophies of Blanchot but will find out more. I am familiar with the work that Lacan wrote about the uncanny on the back of Jentsch and Freud's theorising. I have obtained copies of papers by each of these great thinkers from the British Library. (Could do with some time to read them!!)
I am not nearly so interested in Surrealism as I am in Dada; however I do realise the cultural and historical significance of this movement on the uncanny as an aesthetic tendency.The Surrealists were heavily influenced by Freud's writings (I'm sure you know this), particularly his (now disproved ) work on hysteria and the more credible Interpretation of Dreams. I know Dali was very influenced by Freud's newly discovered theories about the mind.
Anyway, call me shallow, but I am far more interested in the uncanny as an aesthetic tendency in the contemporary cultural climate whether in drawing, sculpture, television, pop videos or any other visual artform. There does seem to be a proliferation.
Hi Stewart, charity box figures are so repellent! I can't imagine anyone wanting to put any money in them!
Thank you for your comments about the placelessness posting. I have re-read it and I think you have hit the nail on the head by highlighting it. The notion of placelessness in contemporary culture causing anxiety is a key issue here I think? A point I had forgotten in the saga of my blog. I will pick this thread up once more.
The Singing Ringing Tree?? Our telly only had BBC1 (til about 1973), so if it was on 2 or ITV I will have missed it!
Computer games...... not my bag, though I did notice a proliferation of X-Men entries when I was searching the uncanny on the Internet. I can see the connection though between film and computer games particularly the notion of virtual reality which is a recurrent theme; the blurring of boundaries between the real and the unreal which is of course at the heart of any uncanny experience. I think I am back at placelessness......................
Hi Maria
I've just emailed an image to you - it's not a rabbit! But it looks mighty uncanny to me. Made up of plastic doll torsos whose arms are red high heeled shoes. I've got the catalogue it came from if it's relevant.
Sue
hi maria,
just came back from the tower, and it was so weird seeing the charity box boy in front of the shop after seeing the picture online.
There is a tv-series called 'Lost' on channel 4. I think it is really uncomfortable to watch.
mona hatoum too
Hello Dale, we are prone to big brother addictions in our house too. I have deliberately not watched after the second week because it starts to dominate my life! Which is what 'big brother' wants of course! It's so voyeristic and malicious yet I enjoy watching, it becomes compulsive viewing. What does that say about me? And the millions who tune in daily? Although to quote Orwell 'Big brother is watching you' as opposed to 'I am watching Big brother' Haa
On a slightly different tack; I think it is interesting to observe the uncanny similarities between the Orwellian Big Brother and many aspects of our society today. As George once said,(and thats Orwell not Bush), 'If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - for ever'.
Here is the uncanny opening line from Nineteen Eighty-Four;
'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen'.
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