· United States of America · 1978 · 8m

Exquisite Corpse

Synopsis

The "exquisite corpse" named in the title of this piece refers to a favorite game of the Surrealists, played by passing a folded sheet of paper among a group; each person draws one section of a body on the folded segment without looking at the other sides. What was done with pen and paper, Gusella accomplishes electronically using the VideoLab. Utilizing quick, voltage-controlled live switching between two cameras, Gusella approximates composite images. For examples, his torso appears to combine with a close-up of his face. The perceptual effect is mesmerizing and disorienting.

Key Collaborators
Follow the Thread

Ernest Gusella directed Exquisite Corpse. Explore their complete filmography and the collaborators who shaped their vision.

Agent-readable