2ndlife, Ben Jeans Houghton

Running time: 60 minutes

Friday 6th July

2ndlife is a first person film essay by Ben Jeans Houghton that uses the places and protagonists encountered on an inner and outer journey to and through Japan, to constellate a self reflexive existential metanarrative through explorations of creation myth, astrology, reincarnation, premonition, magic/k, illnesss, presence, illusion, zen, memory, death and suicide. The roving point of view camera embarks from the North East of England and travels to the metropolis of Tokyo, through the Zen gardens of Kyoto before reaching Aokigahara Forest at the base of Mt. Fuji. The films animistic narratives afford personhood and give voice to places, objects, animals and the Internet in dialogue with the inner monologue of the protagonist. Throughout the film makes reference to mythology, theology, psychology and dream states as it takes the viewer on a chronological journey through person and place whilst mapping the emotional terrain and magnetism of the existential.

2ndlife was commissioned by and exhibited at Bloc Projects in early 2018, with support from Arts Council England.

Ben Jeans Houghton creates work in sculpture, installation, film, photography, drawing, writing, performance and sound. Through these mediums he explores the study and practice of Magic/k, Astrology, Anamism, Philosophy, Cinema and Psychology. Jeans Houghton has recently returned from a BALTIC residency in South Korea where he was researching Korean Shamanism, generating footage for a new film essay inspired by the structure of 2ndlife, whilst also making new work in sculpture and improvised performance. He has shown work at galleries and with organisations including, CCA, Glasgow; Workplace Gallery, Gateshead; Gymnasium Gallery, Berwick; Generator Projects, Dundee; BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead; BFI and Channel Four.

Bloc Projects is a contemporary arts organisation in Sheffield – http://www.blocprojects.co.uk/

Please note that this event takes place outdoors.

2ndlife, Ben Jeans Houghton

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