About Cathy C.
Cathy C. Cook is a Baltimore based artist, filmmaker, educator, production designer, and eco-activist. Her films and projects have addressed topical social issues, women's roles, personal chronicles and natures' environmental conditions. Her award-winning work has been exhibited internationally in both solo and group shows including MOMA, The Whitney Museum, PBS and numerous other venues. In 2001, Cook was awarded a Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship. Recently Cook’s “Cranes in Motion” project… more
The "Cranes in Motion" project (2013 - 2016) Media
The Cranes in Motion project is an intermedia exhibition including documentary, interactive moving images, poetry, animation and sound to explore the fascinating dynamics of crane culture and natural history. It artistically interprets the fascinating dynamics of crane culture in an effort to understand this unique species and our shared ecosystems. “I am compelled by the longevity of the crane and their struggle for survival to further explore the complexities of their ecosystems.”
The multi-media exhibition installation artwork includes: Mimicking Whooper (1st media image) which uses state of the art gaming software to provide an opportunity to virtually interact with Whooping Cranes - to figuratively dance their dance. Prehistoric Resurrection (2nd media image), inspired by the idea of ‘resurrection biology’, this animated and live-action short visually connects prehistoric references to crane survival and longevity through the beauty of movement and the tools of technology. A 3-D animated crane skeleton emerges from an actual photo of a 12 million year - old fossil that then transforms into motion; interacting with present-day Sandhill Cranes and flies away with the flock. Summer Home (3rd media image), shot in Wisconsin, Cedar Lake, Town of Union.
Extreme Close-Ups, through the lens, the photographs enable us to meet the cranes eye to eye, and ponder the magnificent details of evolution’s handiwork. Specimens 2015, a fragmented view of the crane skeleton. Crane Migration Sound Recordings, a collaboration with field recorder, Paul Dickinson. Crane & Nature Poetry featuring 4 poems united with images: Lorine Niedecker (20th Century), Linda Hogan (21stcentury), Japan Emperor Uda (867 –931) the 59th emperor of Japan, and Cathy Cook.
The Whooping Crane has been on the endangered species list since 1967, and is the subject of a population recovery program that includes migration training. The Sandhill Crane has been the subject of the most successful recovery program to date, bringing the species’ numbers back from the brink of extinction.
Cranes in Motion is the culmination of Cook’s extensive research from 2013 to 2016. While in the field, she and collaborator Paul Dickinson braved freezing temperatures to document thousands of migrating cranes at their refueling stops in Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Maryland, capturing their calls, mating dances, migration patterns, nesting, and other activities. Ultimately, Cook aspired to create an experience that will help connect humans to cranes at a time when their wetland and grassland homes are threatened and their environment compromised, opening the way to a greater understanding and empathy for the complex ecological issues surrounding this ancient species. Drawing on her decades of experience directing and producing films, Cook approached this project with the same directorial oversight as a filmmaker. She collaborated with numerous artists and organizations whose work has enriched the Cranes in Motion project.
Additional Cranes in Motion elements (next page)
· Extreme Close-Ups, Archival inkjet photographs of cranes textures and feather pattern.
· Specimens, Archival inkjet photos - extreme close-ups of the crane skeleton.
· Cranes in Poetry - a collection of cranes in poetry.
-
"Mimicking Whooper" documentation"Mimicking Whooper" (media image 1) (2016, Kinect 2, Unity 3D game engine, Maya, computer, sound, color, variable size) The cranes jump, walk, run, call and fly. "Mimicking Whooper" uses state of the art gaming software to provide an opportunity to virtually interact with Whooping Cranes – to figuratively dance their dance. Direct interaction with Cranes is a rare experience reserved for those in wildlife management and Crane conservation programs. However – when observing them in person I have a strong desire to mimic their movements and communicate with them. That desire inspired me to create Mimicking Whooper. Virtual interaction provides an engaging, fun and personalized glimpse into the magnificent world of Crane behavior. The Crane has approximately 30 communicative gestures and many distinct vocal forms of communication.
-
BirdlandPress.png"Mimicking Whooper" is permanently installed at the Patuxent Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, MD.
-
a still frame from "Prehistoric Resurrection"
-
Prehistoric Resurrection"Prehistoric Resurrection" (media image 2) (2016, 4:10 min, 3D animation, 2k live-action, single channel, digital audio) Inspired by the idea of ‘resurrection biology’, this animated and live-action short visually connects prehistoric references to crane survival and longevity through the beauty of movement and the tools of technology. A 3-D animated crane skeleton emerges from an actual photo of a 12 million-year-old fossil that then transforms into motion; interacting with present-day Sandhill Cranes and flies away with the flock.
-
a still frame from Summer Home
-
Summer Home(2015), 1.50 minutes, 4k Digital Video, silent. A crane’s perspective of their summer home. Filmed in a crane nesting area in central Wisconsin.
-
a still documentation of Cranes in Motion"Prehistoric Resurrection" is projected on the right and the "Extreme Close-Ups" on the left. Solo exhibit, VisArts - Kaplin Gallery, March 2016.
-
Making of Cranes in Motion(2016. 4:40 minutes, DV) - media image 4
-
Cranes Respond To The Presence Of Coyotes"Cranes Respond to the Presence of Coyotes" 5:22 Recorded 27 March, 2014 at Rowe Audubon Sanctuary, Kearney NE.
-
Early Morning Crane Conversation & Interstate 80"Early Morning Crane Conversations & Interstate 80," 10:31 Recorded 27 March, 2014 at Rowe Audubon Sanctuary, Kearney, NE.
The "Cranes in Motion" project - Photos and Poetry
Through the lens, these photographs enable the viewer to meet the cranes eye to eye, and ponder the magnificent details of the evolution’s handiwork. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland permitted me to photograph during the yearly physical exams of their captive Whooping cranes and Sandhill cranes.
Specimens (2015, color, archival inkjet prints, variable dimensions)
A fragmented view of the crane skeleton. After we animated the crane skeleton for Prehistoric Resurrection and Mimicking Whooper, I then studied and photographed the individual bones with a macro lens to expose the trachea and other unique crane features.
-
Let's Dance40 7/8″ x 31 5/8″ Archival Inkjet Print.
-
Sandhill Deco40 7/8″ x 31 5/8“ Archival Inkjet Print.
-
Taking Flight40 7/8″ x 31 5/8“ Archival Inkjet Print.
-
Crane Eye44″x 63 3/8″ Archival Inkjet Print.
-
Sternum Coiled Trachea30 1/4″ x 24″ Archival Inkjet Print.
-
Skull41 3/8″ x 24″ Archival Inkjet Print.
-
Cheese30 1/4″ x 24″ Archival Inkjet Print.
-
Crane PoetryArchival Inkjet Print.
-
Cedar Lake PoemI wrote this poem on a day when I was appreciating the cranes and our immediate shared environment on a small lake in Wisconsin. (Note: there is a typo in this photo which was corrected for the exhibition.)
-
Cranes in Motion - Solo Exhibition at VisArts Rockville, MD
IMMORTAL CUPBOARD: In Search of Lorine Niedecker (DVD)
PRESS:
2009 - "Best of Baltimore 2009", City Paper
"A little known 20th century Wisconsin poet gets a stunning tribute from local
filmmaker Cathy Cook in Immortal Cupboard" - Bret McCabe, City Paper, 2/14
2009 - “Poetry In Motion – Cathy Cook Frames Her Obsession With Poet Lorine
Niedecker Onscreen”, by Bret McCabe, Baltimore City Paper. November.
2010 - “Lorine Who Are YOU??”, Small Press Traffic, San Francisco, CA, April.
- Immortal Cupboard Review - "On Big Screens and Small," Filmmakers Enhance
National Poetry Month, by Poets & Writers Staff, January.
2011 - “Immortal Cupboard”, Daily Jefferson County Union, Fort Atkinson, WI, October
SCREENINGS & AWARDS (selected)
Jury Award – 2009 Wisconsin Film Festival
Award Finalist – 2010 Beloit Int’l Film Festival
“Director’s Cut” – Wisconsin Public Television (WPT)
UC Berkeley, San Francisco, CA
Fall for the Book Conference, George Mason University
Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Bowery Poetry Club, NY, NY
Anthology Film Archives, NY, NY
ATA Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Lawrence University, Appleton, WI.
NYSCA Production Grant, NY
CREDITS
Poetry, Letters & Quotes: Lorine Faith Niedecker (May 12th, 1903 - Dec. 31st, 1970)
Director, Editor & Cinematographer: Cathy Cook
Nature Recordings & Audio Collage: Paul Dickinson
Someday Song & Music: Jen Benka & Bill Dempsey
Contributing Composers & Musicians: Tom Goldstein, Patrick Hardish & Christian Woolf
Visual Collaborators & Contributors: J. Shimon & J. Lindemann
Assistant Editorial Director: Stefanie Koseff
DISTRIBUTION
http://cccook.wordpress.com/
cathyccook.com
-
a still frame from Immortal Cupboard"A little known 20th century Wisconsin poet gets a stunning tribute from local filmmaker Cathy Cook in "Immortal Cupboard" - Bret McCabe - City Paper, 2/4/2009
-
a still frame from Immortal Cupboard: In Search of Lorine NiedeckerBest of Baltimore 2009, City Paper - Immortal Cupboard, (2003 – 2009, 73 min, 16mm to DV)
-
a still frame from Immortal CupboardThis poem along with Niedecker's other 'crane poems' impelled me to create the "Cranes in Motion" project.
-
a still frame from Immortal Cupboard
-
a still frame from Immortal Cupboard
-
a still frame from Immortal Cupboard
-
a still frame from Immortal Cupboard
-
a still frame from Immortal Cupboard
-
a still frame from Immortal Cupboard
-
IMMORTAL CUPBOARD: In Search of Lorine Niedecker (feature)
Beyond Voluntary Control & 4 additional short films. (DVD)
- lock yourself in, let yourself go -
SCREENINGS & AWARDS (selected)
2000 – MADCAT Int’l Film Festival & Tour
30th Anniversary Women Make Movies, MOMA
39th Ann Arbor F/V Festival, BEST EDITING AWARD, 2001
Honorable Mention, 2001 Black Maria Film & Video Festival
THAW Film Festival, Iowa City, Iowa.
PRESS:
"Filmmaker Cook explores involuntary movement in people", by Michelle Kenner, Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel. March 24, 2000
"On View" by Jason Guerrasio, The Independent Magazine, 2002.
Bret McCabe, “Language Arts: Learning to Read Visual Grammar Again and Again.” City Paper, Baltimore, MD. January 17, 2007, Arts & Entertainment. (Review & interview)
Chris Kaltenbach, “‘Solo Cinema’: spotlights local directors.” The Baltimore Sun, January 30. “‘Solo Cinema’: Cabin Field (Kissel 2006) and films by Cathy Cook and Fred Worden,”
BaltimoreFunGuide.com, January 31. (descriptive listing)
CREDITS
Producer/ Director & Editor: Cathy Cook
Original Movement and Dance: David Figueroa
Sound Design: Paul Dickinson
Assistant to Director: Stefanie Koseff
DISTRIBUTION
Women Make Movies
www.cathyccook.com
Both Towers Have Fallen (2001, 2 min. or continuous loop, animated photos & video) -
When living in Brooklyn, New York I could see two gas storage towers at one end of my street and at the other end, the World Trade Center towers. In 2001 the gas towers were demolished by the gas company. On September 9th, 2001, I was paralyzed as I stared out my window. I eventually took a sequence of photos over 2 days which resulted in this short video.
Screenings:
Part of Underground Zero DVD & national tour.
Berkeley Fine Arts Cinema, Berkeley, CA
ATA Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Additional Short Films:
Ahhh... Asphalt!
Fire
-
Beyond Voluntary Control DVD coverThe experimental award-winning film "Beyond Voluntary Control" conveys the experience of psychological and physical confinement. Through a surreal montage of haunting images from diverse sources, a sense of the obsessions, phobias, and diseases that constrict personal freedom is tellingly communicated. A soundtrack with poems by Emily Dickinson and Sharon Olds escorts the visual, and an interview with the filmmaker’s mother poignantly underscores the latter’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Dancer David Figueroa contributes his original and evocative movements to the mix. - lock yourself in, let yourself go -
-
Beyond Voluntary ControlSCREENINGS & AWARDS (selected) 2000 – MADCAT Int’l Film Festival & Tour 30th Anniversary Women Make Movies, MOMA 39th Ann Arbor F/V Festival, BEST EDITING AWARD, 2001 Honorable Mention, 2001 Black Maria Film & Video Festival THAW Film Festival, Iowa City, Iowa. CREDITS Producer/ Director & Editor: Cathy Cook Original Movement and Dance: David Figueroa Sound Design: Paul Dickinson Assistant to Director: Stefanie Koseff DISTRIBUTION Women Make Movies www.CathyCCook.com
-
a still frame from Beyond Voluntary ControlPRESS: "Filmmaker Cook explores involuntary movement in people", by Michelle Kenner, Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel. March 24, 2000 "On View" by Jason Guerrasio, The Independent Magazine, 2002.
-
a still frame from Beyond Voluntary Control
-
a still frame from Beyond Voluntary ControlOriginal Movement and Dance: David Figueroa
-
a still frame from Beyond Voluntary ControlOriginal Movement and Dance: David Figueroa
-
a still frame from Beyond Voluntary ControlOriginal Movement and Dance: David Figueroa
-
a still frame from Beyond Voluntary ControlAbove photo: Cook is interviewing her Mother, Lila, who was in the late stages of Parkinson's Disease. They are communicating with a letter chart and discussing her life with the disease. Lila could no longer speak but could make sounds.
-
a still from Both Towers Have Fallen(2001, 2 min. or continuous loop, animated photos & video) - 2nd media image. When living in Brooklyn, New York I could see two gas storage towers at one end of my street and at the other end, the World Trade Center towers. In 2001 the gas towers were demolished by the gas company. On September 9th, 2001, I was paralyzed as I stared out my window. I eventually took a sequence of photos over 2 days which resulted in this short video. SCREENINGS: Included in "Underground Zero" DVD & national tour. Berkeley Fine Arts Cinema, Berkeley, CA ATA Gallery, San Francisco, CA
-
Both Towers Have Fallen(2001, 2 min. or continuous loop, animated photos & video) - When living in Brooklyn, New York I could see two gas storage towers at one end of my street and at the other end, the World Trade Center towers. In 2001 the gas towers were demolished by the gas company. On September 9th, 2001, I was paralyzed as I stared out my window. I eventually took a sequence of photos over 2 days which resulted in this short video. SCREENINGS: Part of "Underground Zero" DVD & national tour. Berkeley Fine Arts Cinema, Berkeley, CA ATA Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Entrails & Leftovers - Photo Series
This lake area became my Walden Pond.
-
Still Life Winter #1Archival pigment inkjet print, 36”x 44”, 2013
-
Still Life Winter #2Archival pigment inkjet print, 24”x 33”, 2013
-
VisArts-Common Ground Gallery
-
Still Life Fall & Spring #1Archival pigment inkjet print, 33”x 50”, 2013
-
Winter Quadrant #1Archival pigment inkjet print, 33”x 44”, 2013
-
Spring Quadrant #1Archival pigment inkjet print, 33”x 44”, 2013
-
Innards with LeavesArchival pigment inkjet print, 23”x 32”, 2013
-
Innards with Barbed WireArchival pigment inkjet print, 23”x 32”, 2013
-
Still Life Summer #1Archival pigment inkjet print, 24”x 32”, 2013
-
Still Life Spring #1Archival pigment inkjet print, 24”x 32”, 2013
Bunny #1
(2010, Continuous DV loop, Sculpture and DV)
An installed 3-D collage (mixed media) of found objects and artifacts that investigates my relationship to nature, animals and spirituality.
(Artist and Editor)
The Match That Started My Fire & Other Gurly Shorts (DVD)
“The Match.... is a joyous hymn to the female orgasm" - Adrian Martin, 1992 Melbourne Film Fest.
SCREENINGS & AWARDS (selected)
Best of Festival Award – 1992 Ann Arbor Film Festival
Juror’s Award – 1991 Black Maria Film/Video Festival & Tour
1st Place (Experimental) – Baltimore Intn'l Film Festival
Honorable Mention - 16th Atlanta Film Festival, GA
39th Annual Flaherty Film Seminar, Wells College, NY
Pacific Film Archives of Berkeley, CA
IMPAKT 1997, Film/Video Festival, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Seattle Int’l Women’s Film Festival, Seattle, WA
PS. 122, “Marriage, Sex & Patriarchy”, New York, NY
IMPAKT 1997, Film/Video Festival, Utrecht, The Netherlands
National Film Board of Canada
Harvard University, MA
Melbourne Int’l Film Festival, Australia
Film in the Cities Production Grant, St. Paul, MN
CREDITS:
Director, Editor & Cinematography: Cathy Cook
Music/Audio Collage: Paul Dickinson
Funding: Film in the Cities Production Grant, (Jerome Foundation)
DISTRIBUTION:
Women Make Movies
NY Filmmakers Co-op
PRESS 1992 - 1993:
L. A. Weekly, “Love /Loss/Lust: A Valentine Sampler.”
VISIONS Magazine, “Women Under the Influence.”
Bay Area Weekly, SF., CA, “Lighting Female Fires.”
Barbara Shulgasser, “Erotic Film Fest: the joy of women’s sex.” San Francisco Examiner.
Alfrieda Abbe, “Women’s tales make ‘Match’.” Milwaukee Sentinel.
1992 Jimmy von Milwaukee, “Voyeurism 101,” The Shepard Express. (The Match...)
The Michigan Daily, Ann Arbor Film Festival, (The Match...)
David Zurawik, “TV’s innovators gather at Omni to trade ideas.” The Baltimore Sun.
James Auer, “Cook’s look at self and life is witty, satirical, daring.” The Milwaukee Journal
Ted Mahar, “Trio of women’s films explore sexual awakenings.” The Oregonian.
Ass Dance (1999, video, 40 sec.) - last media image
The title says it all. This found footage 'a go-go' is an outcome of viewing an Elvis marathon screening.
1995 - The 4th Short Attention Span Festival, Victoria Theatre, San Francisco, CA., September 30.
Other Gurly Shorts:
June Brides - Directors: Cathy Cook and Claudia Looze (1987, 10:00, 16mm, Color)
Mother Nature - (1996, 5:00, 16mm)
Flight Cancelled-Squirrel (2002, 2:20, Video)
Bust-UP - (1989, 7:00, 16mm, B & W)
Girl Watcher - (1988), 1:00, Video)
-
Still frame from The Match That Started My Fire(1992, 16mm film, 20 minutes, sound, Live-action)
-
The Match That Started My Fire DVD cover
-
Still frame from The Match That Started My Fire
-
Still frame from The Match That Started My Fire
-
Still frame from The Match That Started My Fire
-
Still frame from The Match That Started My Fire
-
a still frame from The Match That Started My Fire
-
a still frame from The Match That Started My FireGeorge Kuchar makes a surprise visit as a delivery man.
-
a still frame from The Match That Started My Fire
-
A still frame from the video, Ass Dance.Ass Dance (1999, Video, 40 sec.) The title says it all. This found footage 'a go-go' is an outcome of viewing an Elvis marathon screening.
Cook's Book of Poetry Films
A Deed Without a Name - (1993, 16mm to video, 2 min Animation)
Say What?! - (1994, 16mm to video, 3 min. Cameraless Animation)
tar guys - (2006, 5 min, S-8 film to DV) Poetry: Cathy Cook
Emily and Liberace # 1763 - (1:45 min, 16mm film transferred to DV) poetry: Emily Dickinson
Additional Film Poems:
Timeline - (2005, 2 minutes, 16mm) Poetry: Cathy Cook
Fire - (2:30 minutes, 16mm ) About the fear and obsession with fire. Poetry: Cathy Cook
#536 - ( 2:45 minutes, 16mm) Poetry: Emily Dickinson #536
ball - (2004, S-8 to DV) about a dog and her ball.
Inside Underneath - (2005, film/DV, 2 min) Poetry: Jen Benka
Flight Cancelled - (2002, video, 2 min) A video poem/performance starring Sprocket the dog
26+ (1983, 6 min, 16mm Cameraless Animation)
Poems By:
Jen Benka, Emily Dickinson, Cathy Cook & Shakespeare.
Cook - Director / Animator / Writer / Producer / Editor
-
Cook's Book of Poetry Films DVD cover
-
A still frame from the film Fire.(2000, 1:17 min. animated photos and Live-action) A poetry film about the fear and obsession with fire.
-
A still frame from A Deed Without A NamePRESS 1995 & 1996: San Francisco Examiner, “The Living Room Festival” on KQED / Channel 9. (1996) The San Francisco Bay Guardian, “Independents Days”, KQED “Living Room Festival” Bay Area Reporter, Arts & Entertainment, KQED “Living Room Festival” Cine(E) – Poetry Scribe, May. “Cin(E) – Poetry Distribution!,” National Poetry Assoc. SCREENINGS & BROADCASTS: KQED/ Channel 9, “The Living Room Festival” Marin Independent Journal, “Independent Days” KQED Series, August 6. The San Francisco Bay Guardian, “Independents Days”, KQED “Living Room Festival” Bay Area Reporter, Arts & Entertainment, KQED “Living Room Festival” Cine(E) – Poetry Scribe, May. “Cin(E) – Poetry Distribution!,” National Poetry Assoc.
-
A still frame from A Deed Without a Name
-
A still frame from the film Say What?!(1994, 3min, 16mm to video) | Cameraless Animation. - Letters of the alphabet come alive and celebrate their independence from the conventional word. Film leader was run through various typewriters to make a direct impression on 16 mm film.
-
A still frame from the film 26+.1983, 6 minutes,16mm cameraless animation) Images were made by putting film leader through a typewriter and later hand colored.
-
A still frame from the film poem, tar guys.(5:00, Super-8 transferred to DV) A smelly, dirty, hardworking job is romanticized through poetry and the lens as we join ‘tar roofers’ on a day at work. Poem by Cathy Cook - Poem voice performance by Jen Benka SCREENINGS (selected) Oct. 2008 - 4th Zebra Poetry Film Festival, tar guys, Berlin, Germany. October 10, (catalog) June 2008 - Rosebud Film Festival, Arlington, VA. (finalists selection) Bowery Poetry Club, NYC, NY.
-
A still frame from Timeline(2003, 1:52 min, 16mm film to DV) Poetry: Cathy Cook A poetry film running through a timeline of devastating dates of world war and destruction.
-
A still frame from the film poem, #1763 Emily & Liberace(2003, 1:45 min, 16mm film to DV) Poetry: Emily Dickinson A poem by Emily Dickinson addresses the plague of 'fame' that was a burden on both Liberace and herself.
-
A still frame from the film poem, Emily & LiberaceThis short film poem incorporates found live-action 16mm film with manually applied techniques. I imagined Liberace and Emily comparing their burdens of 'fame'.