Face to face, 2011

35 mm film loop, colour, 2’14”
projector, loop system
approx. 300 x 530 cm
edition 3 + 1 AP
added: ProRes 422 HQ, aspect ratio 16:9

Note / In Face to face a group of macaws circle round a tree, which appears to exert a strong force of attraction on the birds. The tree trunk has an anthropoid face. Could that be the reason for all the excitement? One might believe it is, particularly when one of the macaws goes and sits on the ‘chin’ of the tree and looks straight into the tree trunk’s eyes. But is it true? MvW: ‘People have a primitive urge to see faces and objects in things and in the film the birds also seem to have that tendency. To me, Face to face is an encounter not just between the birds and the tree, but also between the viewer of the film and the tree.’