Research like writing can appear as a stream of consciousness and a thoughtful brain map of a journey and this is how watching Her Name Was Europa (2020), directed by Anja Dornieden & Juan David González Monroy (OJOBOCA), felt. The viewer is taken on a quest to learn more about aurochs, “an extinct species of wild cattle” and the origins of a scientific categorization of a species. How can someone bring back an extinct animal and why? How does science make this possible? Why are artists so fascinated with the shape and form of cattle? Why do tropical resorts exist? Using 16mm film, the directors of Her Name Was Europa play with cinematic form, text and image in beautiful and exciting ways and leave the viewer yearning for knowledge— with more questions than answers.
I also love the use of placing photographs on screen which reminds me of the work of contemporary artist Dionne Lee. Placing the photographs in Her Name Was Europa makes the camera view seem like a microscope and we’re examining these different categories of animal. I also started to question zoology in general and the captivity of these cattles. There are modern shots of cattle in parades and in a farm and one starts to wonder if their identity was pre-determine by scientific experiments.
I recently watched Her Name Was Europa at the Museum of the Moving Image as part of the Persistent Visions series.
Tiffany Joy Butler is a filmmaker, writer, curator, and educator.
Follow her projects @tiffjoybutler
Comments