ALCHEMICAL ROMANCE
3 Films from Daïchi Saïto
Originally from Japan, Saïto is based in Montréal, Canada, where he is a co-founder of Double Negative (a film art collective) and also in Ithaca NY where he teaches at Ithaca College. His work explores the relation between the corporeal phenomena of vision and the material nature of the medium, fusing a formal investigation of frame and juxtaposition with sensual and poetic expressions. Saïto’s films have been exhibited at festivals, museums, galleries and cinematheques worldwide.
Due to financial support from Roy H. Park School of Communications, Ithaca College, we are excited that the artist is able to present three of his amazing films in person.
Trees Of Syntax, Leaves Of Axis ( 2009 / 35mm / 10′ 00)
Entirely hand-processed by the filmmaker sound by violinist Malcolm Goldstein, the film is a poem of vision and sounding that seeks certain perceptual insight and revelation through a syntactical structure based on patterns, variations and repetition.
Engram Of Returning (2015 / 35mm /18′ 30)
An epic 35mm CinemaScope metaphysical travelogue that reveals a supernal world which pulses and flickers with formal patterns and deep hues. Soundtraked by noted musician Jason Sharp.
Earthearthearth (2021 / 35mm / 30′ 00)
The expansive mountains of the Andes are the basis for this film. Propelled by the free, pulsating improvisation of saxophonist Jason Sharp, in which his heartbeat and breathing play a prominent role, the series of images slowly becomes more abstract. The end result is a hypnotic, sensory meditation on ‘our’ earth.
Greg Pope. 