Second Edition
Becoming Landscape
“It could be said that the orchid imitates the wasp, reproducing its image in a signifying fashion (mimesis, mimicry, lure, etc.). But
this is true only on the level of the strata-a parallelism between two strata such that a plant organization on one imitates an animal organization on the other. At the same time, something else entirely is going on: not imitation at all but a capture of code, surplus value of code, an increase in valence, a veritable becoming, a becoming-wasp of the orchid and a becoming-orchid of the wasp. (...) There is neither imitation nor resemblance, only an exploding of two heterogeneous series on the line of flight composed by a common rhizome that can no longer be attributed to or subjugated by anything signifying.”
- Deleuze and Guattari, A Thousand Plateaus
Following the theme “Face-Face” of the first edition, the second annual theme of the St. Moritz Art Film Festival is “Becoming- Landscape”.
The notion of ‘landscape’ is pertinent with the natural context of the Engadin Valley, yet, “Becoming-Landscape” introduces an unexpected element: the landscape is the result of a transformation.
In a similar fashion, as in the photographic collages by John Stezaker, the landscape ceases to be a “given” element and it becomes an extension of the subject.
The classical opposition between “figure and ground” blurs into a new status: the subject becomes landscape and, symmetrically, the landscape is the unfolding of the subject, beyond any mimesis or representation.
Through specific collaborations with external curators, the patronage of foreign institution and a bespoke educational programme developed in collaborations with the local schools, the theme is explored in a variety
of aspects. An important new feature is the introduction of an open call for young film makers and video artists to apply to propose their new videos.