Montgomery...

Jennifer Montgomery came to class and screened her work.

It was interesting in that this is how I pictured experimental work being before I cam to UWM. I thought it would be awkward, it would test my thoughts on whats right and wrong. Also that I would hate it.

Jennifer Montgomery showed us three films that she made. How to Use Equipment was the first film which I actually liked a lot. I thought the humor was conveyed really well and that it was a funny little piece. Age 12: Love with a Little L was the second film we watched. It was Montgomery depicting lesbian sexuality at an early age. I thought that this was an extremely odd piece. It was filled with jump cuts non-relational scenes (to the viewer at least) and included of course public urination. I have no idea why her pieces included urination. She gave an explanation but it did not suit my needs. I don't think that its needed to show anything. Especially when it shows one girl urinating on the back of another girl, I suppose I will never fully understand that use of bodily fluids in film...

Notes on the Death of Kodachrome, this could of been a great film to me if it would of cut out the first part. I think the film should of went straight into the interviews and it would of been really strong. The first half did not really tie in at all, I honestly felt like I was watching a double feature. I felt as if she just spliced two of her films together. The most memorable scene from the beginning of course being the girl painting with her menstrual blood. I don't know if it was me being a guy but I found it repulsive. I don't know why that was needed especially in this film. I feel like Montgomery is afraid of making something without bodily fluids or something that wont be socially awkward. The interviews were extremely strong, and the fact that she created her dream in the end was very intriguing. I wasn't sure if she was going to show us the dream or not. The interesting part is that she portrayed the dream almost exactly how I pictured it when she described it earlier in the film. I just wish she would of cut out the beginning part and made it it's own film.

Jennifer Montgomery as a person seemed really interesting. It seemed to me that she was really protective of her art. A student asked if she appeared in one of her pieces and she said ".....yeah..... why, what is that supposed to mean". The student was referring to a piece that there was nudity in and I am sure he wanted to know if it was her. The way she acted to that one question surprised me. She did not say it in a nice or jokingly way, it was an a angry tone, not one thats used to answer a questions.

Jennifer Montgomery, tested my ability to understand what art is. I hated her work, but after much thought thats exactly what I expected. Finally I have seen something that really tested me and made me wonder what I think and what other people think is art. For that I thank her.