Took my bike and camera and went for a ride the other day. The afternoon was blustery, overcast and kind of perfect. The city looked beautiful. Ended up on the Arlington Bridge, a classic design with a beautiful view of the downtown. Snapped some pics and video and really love the results.
Working with my partner Bren, I was able to observe and record his process in the kitchen as he made sourdough bread! Honestly what a treat, and a fun time together. Collaborating and being creative together is always better when it’s with someone you love.
Living in Manitoba means living with winter on the prairies; cold, endless and always so beautiful. I grew up in rural Manitoba and I’ve always loved the cleansing palette of a harsh winter day. The clearer the sky the more brutal the temperatures seem to be, and I kind of love it.
I recently picked up a Dji Mini 2 drone and I took it out for a spin on a frigid winter weekend. I collected the footage and started playing with it, overlaying the images to create something that is familiar and kind of out of this world. Sometimes that’s how it feels here in Manitoba, like a cold distant planet and I’m happy to call this place my home.
(Sidenote I made my first foray into muzak, I created the music and sounds for this and I’m really happy with the results)
I’ve been spending some time at the Plug In art gallery, collecting footage and working with the curators of this amazing gallery installation “ Sovereign Intimacies”. Such a beautiful show, the artwork is incredible. Here’s a few snap shots from the other day.
More work based around mirroring and inverting images. This work represents a struggle with dissociation, and the push and pull of rural and cultural identity. All of these shots are stills from a longer video piece entitled “Hometown Fever Dream”
Excerpt from a longer piece that builds on the thematic play of dissociation, recovery and cultural identity.
*2 years ago I recorded the alarm system going off in a parkade. It was eerie, foreboding and I loved it. I held onto that sample and was FINALLY able to use it…so satisfying to rediscover audio and find a proper home for it*
Sometimes all it takes is seeing something from a different perspective to understand it’s creative potential. This was was so relaxing to film and cut together. The longer edit includes driving through residential streets and through our downtown area, once I finish it up I will post it.
Slow Sunday here today, spent some time reviewing and editing footage, creating short pieces that carry the hazy recollection of memories. The feeling when you try and recall a moment and all you can find are the shapes and sounds of where you used to be.
Layering images, it’s beautiful thing. A couple of video stills that I inverted and collaged together. 
Recently I spent the afternoon with Bren and collected footage of him canning in his kitchen, making curried apple chutney. I’m always interested in the process, and how things come to fruition, so this seemed like an ideal collaboration. I love working with people that I know, there is something so relaxed about the creative process, and the end result with Bren turned out better than I expected.
jamesdixon | film 