Collective Memory: A Contemporary Film Series

Experience the magic of the moving image through a selection of works by Gardner Museum Artists-in-Residence, Neighborhood Salon Luminaries, and local filmmakers. Ranging in length from just a few minutes to almost an hour, these works explore a range of historical, political, social, and conceptual topics from both an artistic and documentary viewpoint.

Film Schedule | 12–4:30 PM

Liyana, 2017 | 77 minutes
Gcina Mhlophe | 12–1:15 PM, introduced by Tiffany York, Assistant Director, Residencies and Special Projects 

In this award-winning film that combines traditional documentary with lush animation, legendary South African storyteller Gcina Mhlophe guides five orphans through the process of creating a story. They workshop a gripping tale about a young girl, Liyana, who embarks on a dangerous quest to rescue her twin brothers—a fairy tale story of perseverance drawn from their darkest memories and brightest dreams.

Equinox, 2012 | 5 minutes
Raqs Media Collective | 1:15–2 PM, introduced by Claire Barliant, Contemporary Department Assistant

Filmed at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Equinox focuses on figures of animals from paintings, textiles, prints, drawings, and sculpture, as well as a set of Japanese fables for children printed in the late 19th-century. The animals are animated and brought to life in the way that Raqs pictured the Museum’s objects springing to life after dark.

In Transit, 2008 | 4 minutes
Lida Abdul | 2–2:30 PM

Abdul filmed In Transit at a soccer field just outside of Kabul. Lying in the field were the empty shells of two Russian military planes that had been shot down years ago. Children play in and around the planes, using different materials to try to patch and repair the broken-down vehicles. Abdul was moved to make the film after seeing children running and laughing in the streets of Kabul, believing that their presence brought a sense of optimism and spirit of resilience to the war-torn region.

Out of the Blue, 2011 | 4 minutes
Ackroyd and Harvey | 2:30–3:30 PM

For the past few years, Ackroyd & Harvey have been documenting the contrails left by aircraft in the skies above their Surrey-based studio close to Gatwick airport, amassing hundreds of photos and studying the way that on certain days the contrails spread out to form almost complete cloud cover. On April 15, 2010, the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland erupted and for six days the skies above the UK were free of air traffic, providing a unique opportunity to experience life without the pollution air travel causes both acoustically and visually.

Travels with Isabella: Travel Scrapbooks, 1883/2008 | 27 minutes
Luisa Rabbia | 3–4 PM, introduced by Pieranna Cavalchini and followed by a talk with the artist

During her residency at the Museum in 2007–08, Rabbia studied photographs from one of Isabella’s albums documenting her travels in China in 1883. Using these archival materials, as well as her own fantastical drawings of roots and trees, the artist created a video inspired by an American’s view of imperial China—but that also evokes an intimate inner space, located somewhere between the rational world and the dream world.

Seven Interventions, 2011–2018 | 2-3 minutes each
Laura Anderson Barbata | 4–5 PM

Laura Anderson Barbata creates art that celebrates social justice and invites group participation and thoughtful protest. Her collaborative performances combine textiles, dance, and music to tell stories, engaging audiences in the process. With the Brooklyn Jumbies and other stilt dancers, she has made costumes and produced public street performance-processions responding to a wide range of issues such as the Great Recession and climate change.

Intervention Indigo, 2015
Intervention Wall Street, 2011
Ocean Calling, 2017
Intervention Raphael Red, 2017
Intervention Ocean Blues, 2018
Intervention Ocean Blues at the Gardner, 2018
Intervention Ocean Blues in DUMBO, 2018

Tickets are required and include Museum admission.

Adults $15, seniors $12, students $10, free for members and children 17 and under.

• Online, by clicking the TICKETS button above*
• By calling the box office at 617 278 5156, Wednesday-Monday, 10 am-4 pm*
• In person: Visit the Museum and purchase at the door, Wednesday-Monday, 11 am-4:30 pm

*Handling charges apply to these orders