Borrowed Time, a dirge for my father, is probably the most complex and condensed video I’ve produced.  It requires several viewings to see past the frenetic surface.  A dirge is inexorable, not necessarily mournful, we are still close to the time of passing and talk about the absent as though they were still here.  After awhile, we begin to only remember the good and avoid regrets of the bad.  We accompany a casket or carry an urn for return to mother earth or scattered into the elements, and disappearing in a final, posthumous breath. The text provides a clear meaning of this journey’s purpose.  The images defy sight; they attack the boundaries of containment pounding surfaces beyond the monitor, as though through tears.

The text points to reasons for the furious energy of the video. The words and tone are inspired by the Kaddish and other prayers of the daily service that one says in place of the parent. “What is, is; what will be, will be. The fires won’t scorch us. There will be peace in the valley.  No matter how fast you run you can’t escape. Even to the ends of the earth. The gatherer of souls will embrace and consume. No more time for your tricks and games, your puns and lies. No more time for your beautific smile and good nature. Give and take; up and down; in and out: And we praise the cosmic timekeeper who counts the number of breaths. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…” Time to go to the fire, to meet the fire, become fire. Too close, fever and tears, we fly down with you, daring the flames, seeing the darkness, in the beginning and in the end, emptiness and void.” The images were recorded in post-apocalyptic landscapes of ancient volcanic mountains in Hawaii and from a helicopter over an active volcano.  End of the world scenes from the mouth of bay; thorns ripping across the screen; a tidal wave of form and color; everything is upside down.

+ Borrowed Time compressed video MPEG4 320X240 7 minutes