In the history of contemporary art, the body has been a particular medium in the sense that it implies a physical engagement of the artist who is not necessarily present with other media: it isn't just action painting and the rise of Abstract Expressionism in the United States in the 50s that made us realize that the painter paints (also) with his body. With Gutai in Japan, the Vienna actionists, Fluxus and body art - or corporal art, and many other artists out of any movement, the body becomes all or part of the artistic language.

This performative body, filmed under various schemes - of the acquisition to the intimate theater,, we will give an overview of creation in the field of performance,  territory of the art or History, sexuality and gender are examined.

Join Mono no aware for an intimate screening presentation of recent works by Stephanie Gray presented with live poetry readings. Among the works being shown are several city-symphonies about her former hometown, Buffalo, NY; a film of a certain vanishing Coney Island; pockets of mysterious places in lower Manhattan; and atmospheric and wind-driven portraits of streetscapes in Queens and Chinatown. Her work is motivated by a sort of philosophical conversation with the city, “even if I don’t always know what it means or what it is, the filming makes sense of it in a kind of magic way. The city speaks and makes meaning, of both the past, present and future and where do memories fit in?” Her relationship with New York is intimate, and her ability to capture the subtle whispers amidst the chaos allows one to see the invisible.

After three successful editions LaborBerlin once again presents DIFFRAKTION, its very own annual showcase of new works on film by its members and friends. This year, DIFFRAKTION will encompass a full­day event with various film programs, talks, film performances and live music. 

LaborBerlin is a nonprofit, independent film collective, open to any and every individual interested in artist­run initiatives and analogue film practices. With this in mind, the goal of this event is to be an open invitation to anyone that’s interested in preserving the artistic use of analog film, and in supporting collective initiatives that seek to make these types of practices open, accessible, non­hierarchical and non­commercial.

We believe that the present moment, when most traditional film labs are closing and digital media has become the dominant option for audiovisual production, is not a time of crisis for analog film but a moment of opportunity. Film and the knowledge around it, now free from the demands of the commercial sector, can begin a new life as a truly independent medium to be openly shared and collectively developed. However, with this opportunity come many morechallenges. Which is why we want to present this event as an open forum for discussions and suggestions on how to overcome the challenges that LaborBerlin, and many other organizations like it, face today. LaborBerlin in particular is currently at risk because of upcoming rent hikes. Therefore this event also serves as a fundraiser to guarantee that we can keep an open and economically accessible space.