"Fundamentals" by Mark Fiore, Sept. 17 2008

ASIFA-SF member Mark Fiore is like a lot of Bay Area denizens—thoughtful, politically minded to be sure, but what makes him stand out in our crowd is that he doesn’t just talk about politics, he draws cartoons about them. Weekly. And they’re pretty funny too, especially if you live in the SF Bay Area (where admitting you vote Republican is tantamount to being registered under Megan’s Law.) But we digress…

This week’s cartoon on MarkFiore.com is a typically sharp commentary on the financial crisis, and other entries have covered the presidential campaign, and all the candidates, cultural elitism, oil politics, the "pretty good generation" and lots more. But be sure to prowl around for Mark’s selection of links, including ways to get active, news bulletins—-and merchandise, to help the cause. This site ain’t just for laughs.

Like voting in Chicago, the CableCartoon recommends you bookmark Fiore’s site early…and often.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 7:30 p.m.    

As part of an ongoing series entitled Alternative Visions, the Pacific Film Archive is presenting Collage animations by Janie Geiser, Lewis Klahr, and Eric Saks.  As Kathy Geritz writes: "Collage offers the opportunity to mix up our shared culture, to create improbable and magical combinations. The results may look forward to new ways of speaking or hark back, perhaps nostalgically, to childhood memories and half-forgotten stories. The artists in tonight’s program are masters of the form. They share a low-tech, handmade aesthetic, yet their approaches range from elusive, ambiguous tales to haunting dreamscapes and subversive pranks. Working on an intimate scale, they construct cryptic messages and fragmented narratives using antique dolls and toys or cut-outs from magazines, comic strips, and picture books. Lewis Klahr’s films share a history with the cut-out animations of Harry Smith and Joseph Cornell; Janie Geiser also creates puppet theater. Eric Saks’s work draws on outmoded and futuristic technologies. In animating inanimate objects, these artists bring new life to life’s puzzle."

It’s another opportunity to see hard-to-find but worthy animation art in the Bay Area. Shut off the DVD player and go have an alternative experience in Berkeley (where else?!) Films include: Daylight Moon (Lewis Klahr, 2002, 13 mins, 16mm). Pony Glass (Lewis Klahr, 1997, 14.5 mins, 16mm). Gun Talk (Eric Saks, 1991, 14 mins, Beta SP). You Talk/I Buy (Eric Saks, 1990, 10 mins, Beta SP). Lost Motion (Janie Geiser, 2000, 11 mins, 16mm). Secret Story (Janie Geiser, 1996, 8.5 mins, 16mm) (Total running time: 71 mins, Color, From the artists, Canyon Cinema)

For directions and other info, visit the PFA website.