Since 1986 Helga Fanderl has created a body of work consisting of around 1000 short films in Super 8. Fanderl uses the Super 8 camera as an instrument of vision and creation. Inspired by movements, rhythms, forms, textures, color, light, and shadow, she shapes images and time in situ as a spontaneous gesture, transferring her perceptions, feelings, and ideas to the unseen filmstrip inside the camera. There is no postproduction. She presents her films in ever-changing combinations so that, because of the different compositions, the individual films remain open to interpretation.

For the Ann Arbor presentation, Fanderl has selected 19 films of different lengths, years, and places of production, mounting a unique ephemeral “film.” Since Super 8 is a more intimate medium, and not really a cinema format, Helga Fanderl likes to set up the projector in the middle of the audience and to project the films herself.

Helga Fanderl

Constellations Super 8

(2000–2024)

Karussell     Carousel

Wasserpflanzen     Water Plants

Schaukeln (2022)     Swings (2022)

Tulpen     Tulips

Kakibaum     Persimmon Tree

Parisbilder für Dr. G.     Pictures of Paris for Dr. G.

Konversation am Strand     Conversation at the Beach

Bügeln auf der Straße     Ironing in the Street

Fischerboote     Fishing Boats

Mona Lisa*

Tunnel*

Feuerwerk*     Fireworks*

Irisblüten und Pfaue     Irises and Peacocks

Spielende Hunde     Playing Dogs

Gespiegelt     Mirrored

Blätter auf dem Glasdach     Leaves on a Glass Roof

Zootiere und Architekturen     Zoo Animals and Architectures

Umlauftank     Circulation Tank

Jardin d’Acclimatation I

silent, color (or b&w*