Building on Jack Sargeant’s previously published research on J.G. Ballard, this talk explores Ballard in the realms beyond literature, looking at his graphics, use of performance and the infamous Crashed Cars exhibition as well as the short film Crash, in relation to the aesthetic ‘perversions’ that emerged around his ground-breaking 1970s novels. The talk offers an exploration of Ballard’s radical experimental work, and traces its influence into the subcultural mise en scène of the era and beyond.
The talk will include a screening of The Unlimited Dream Company (dir: Sam Scoggins, 1983, 24 mins).
About the Instructor:
As an author Jack Sargeant’s work has been described as “dangerously inspirational”. His numerous books include Against Control, Deathtripping: The Extreme Underground and Naked Lens: Beat Cinema (like Deathtripping now in its third English language edition). His forthcoming book Flesh and Excess on Underground Film is due for publication in late 2015. He has written on film and culture for numerous books, anthologies and journals, and introductions for books by Lydia Lunch, Romain Slocombe, Joe Coleman and for William Burroughs’s Unforgettable Characters. He writes a regular column for FilmInk, and has written for The Wire, Xochi 23, Fortean Times, World Art, Real Time and many other publications. Jack has frequently appeared as a documentary interviewee in films including Blank City, The Advocate for Fagdom and Llik Your Idols. He is regularly called upon to assist in research for television and film documentaries. In addition to writing, Sargeant has lectured on underground film and culture, beat culture, William Burroughs and many other topics across the world. He has curated numerous film and art events, including co-curating the critically acclaimed ‘Sex’ at Melbourne’s Strange Neighbour gallery. He is currently program director for the Revelation Film Festival in Western Australia.
Thursday 7 January, 7-10pm
Horse Hospital
Colonnade, Bloomsbury
London
Admission
£10 advance / £11 on the door / £8 concs
Tix on sale December 14, 2015