Review – Artbox presents Poetry in Motion – The Films of Maya Deren

Poetry in Motion is the screening of three silent films by influential 1940s avant-garde film maker Maya Deren, with an improvisational trio creating the soundtrack whilst nestled around the venue, peering up at the screen. I will freely admit that I am not an expert in World War 2 era American avant-garde films, so I was unsure what to expect (a solitary plum floating in a bowler hat filled with perfume?). I am happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised.

The short films of Deren are genuinely powerful and designed to bend the viewer’s perceptions. It is remarkable how our brains can be toyed with using visual trickery, such as replacing characters with other actors in the same clothes. When you fully immerse yourself into Deren’s world, you may not necessarily understand all that you are seeing, but it will trigger an emotional response. The trio of Callum Moncrieff, Tristen and Christopher De Groot play a tremendous role in allowing the viewer to engage in the material.

The soundtrack that the trio creates lives in perfect harmony with the visual scenes, which is a major achievement, given the complexity of the material. The band is reminiscent of a Deren film, as every time you look away and back, a band member is wielding a different instrument. For those with an open mind, the experience created by Poetry in Motion will only serve to widen your perceptions.