Sean Grattan

Donald And Marlene (2010)

4 min 8 secSingle channel / Digital Video / Colour / Sound

"Like a bad romance movie from the 1950s, Donald and Marlene peddles in sexist stereotypes that quickly reveal their discriminatory shortcomings. Donald might be a knowledgeable fan of experimental ‘structural’ films, or he might just be doing what he’s told. Marlene lacks agency, but she’s doubtful there’s much else going on beneath the surface. A slippage occurs as their argument about the movie being watched bleeds into an acknowledgment of the video that is simultaneously being made. Surfaces beget surfaces, as a subtle implication of audience desire dissipates out of the car windows."

Artist's statement

Other works by Sean Grattan

CIRCUIT is the
leading voice
for artist moving image
practice
in Aotearoa New Zealand,
distributing works,
critical review and
dialogues
which reflect our unique, contemporary
South Pacific context.