Stan Brakhage, Public Intellectual

John Powers, Assistant Professor of Film and Media Studies, Washington University in Saint Louis

In 1970, experimental filmmaker Stan Brakhage presented a series of lectures on film history at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In this presentation, film historian John Powers argues that the lectures originated as part of a broader effort for Brakhage to position himself as an artist whose opinions on the history of his medium would be of value to the general public. This effort also entailed publishing books on film history and bidding for appearances on public affairs programs. In addition to placing Brakhage's intellectual activities in a greater context, this talk will reveal an untaken path for film historiography and its role in the public humanities. This talk is part of the Department of Film and Media Studies Colloguiqum Lecture Series. 

Co-sponsored by American Culture Studies, Department of Art History and Archaeology, and the College of Arts and Sciences.