New Work: Newark in 3D, A Centennial Film Commission by Marylou Tibaldo-Bongiorno and Jerome Bongiorno
Sept 23, 2009 – Jan 10, 2010
Newark Museum
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
973.596.6550
http://newarkmuseum.org
Inspired in 1920 by Walt Whitman’s collection of poetry, “Leaves of Grass,” two artists, Charles Sheeler and Paul Strand, created a six-minute expressive film entitled Manhatta – a work many have described as America’s first avant-garde film.
Almost a century later, two Newark-based, award-winning filmmakers, Marylou Tibaldo-Bongiorno and Jerome Bongiorno, have created a modern 3D interpretation of the film in homage to both Manhatta and their home city, Newark. The newly released six-minute, black & white film, New Work: Newark in 3D, A Centennial Film Commission by Marylou Tibaldo-Bongiorno and Jerome Bongiorno, premieres at the Newark Museum on September 23, 2009 and runs through January 10, 2010.
Set against the backdrop of one of the oldest metropolises in the nation, the Bongiornos’ film captures the vibrancy of present-day Newark, encompassing a cinematic arc from sunrise to sunset that emulates Strand and Sheeler’s historic imagery — from the city’s bustling business districts, port and transit hubs to its parks, grand public monuments, places of worship and impressive iron bridges. In response to the Museum’s centennial, the filmmakers captured the treasured landmarks that have graced Newark’s urban landscape for almost a century.
Paying close attention to composition of light and dark imagery and movement, the Bongiornos’ use of camera angles and high vantage points of the cityscape were created with moving footage shot with three-dimensional technology using two side-by-side Sony high-definition XDCAM EX camcorders and two MinoHDTM camcorders for select shots.
New Work: Newark in 3D, is presented on a continuous loop and projected on a floor-to-ceiling screen in the Museum’s South Gallery. To complement the film, Manhatta will be shown on a video monitor in an introductory gallery instead of its usual site in the twentieth-century American art galleries. Take away 3D glasses will be provided to exhibition visitors. Featured in the audio portion of New Work is the poetry of Jon Curley and music recorded by Newark-based artists including the Newark Boys Chorus School, Cobblestone Records, and the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart Choir.
According to Newark Museum Director Mary Sue Sweeney Price, New Work has been acquired for the Newark Museum’s American Art collection, in part, with contributions from the Friends of American Art, a museum support group.
The public is invited to a free conversation entitled A Panel Discussion with Filmmakers Marylou Tibaldo-Bongiorno, Jerome Bongiorno and their Community Partners on October 22 at 7 pm that will be moderated by Curator Beth Venn. A reception prior to the lecture program is scheduled at 6 pm. Pre-registration is required by calling 973-596-6550.
New Work is the third in a series of four artist commissions in honor of the Newark Museum’s Centennial. The commissions are designed to allow artists to create original work that references the Museum’s history and diverse collections. New Work not only responds to the film Manhatta film that regularly plays in the Museum’s American art galleries, it focuses attention on parts of the city’s landscape—its monuments, buildings, and transit hubs—many of which, like the Museum itself, have existed for more than a century.
The year-long Newark Museum Centennial Celebration, including the four artists’ commissions, is made possible through the generous support of Prudential. Centennial activities continue through spring, 2010.
Watch the podcast for New Work: Newark in 3D on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/user/NewarkMuseum, or on iTunes and on the
Newark Museum Web site.
Contact Information:
Newark Museum
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
973.596.6550
http://newarkmuseum.org
