Random Acts of Film

By Lauren Vadnjal / February 2nd, 2012 in Film / London / 436 views

A random email sent out of the blue to mariah_carey2007@hotmail.com came across as a bit suss to animator/filmmaker Aaron Chan, yet it resulted in a multifaceted collaboration that is now currently being featured on Channel 4′s new art initiative in the UK.

‘Random Acts’ is a short-form daily arts platform new to the UK’s Channel 4 which, over the course of a year, will showcase bold and original three-minute films that have a unique sense of creativity. Aiming to break television convention, Channel 4 will feature the short films throughout the normal schedule and leave them totally unmediated—focusing on television as art, “rather than about art”.

Swiss artist and founding member of Sang Bleu Jeanne-Salomé Rochat first approached Chan after seeing (and liking) his Tumblr blog. She liked it so much, that without seeing any of his video work or even knowing his real name, she invited him (through a strange, but legit email address) to join the collaboration between Sang Bleu and various other parties that are featured within the video.

The short features fashion by designer Damir Doma, music by Berlin-based duo AIDS-3D, and the Theatre of Hunters exhibition by Pedro Barateiro. In his quirky and in-your-face style, Chan—alter-ego SCOTTY 2 HOTTY 69—works with the elements to change perception of space that connects the exhibition space with the body and garments. The multiplication of bodies appear almost like omens, filling the space with an unmissable potency.