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Issac Julien curates a cinematic wonder

Derek Jarman The Exhibition

Friday, 7 March 2008

For those versed in alternative queer culture Derek Jarman is up there with the greats. He was a heaven sent film director who made moments of celluloid genius including Sebastiane, Jubilee, The Tempest, Caravaggio, The Garden, Edward II and Blue. He was a painter, writer and pop video director of vision who inspired many artists and filmmakers. He was also a forthright and prominent gay rights activist. Disgnosed HIV positive in 1986 he was one of the first to stand up and be positively counted, as he publicly fought for the rights of those living or affected by HIV. In 1991 Derek Jarman was canonised by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as St Derek of Dungeness of the Order of Celluloid Knights. His death from AIDS related illness in 1994 robbed the creative world.

Fourteen years since his death and London’s Serpentine Gallery are hosting a Jarman exhibition. Curated by Isaac Julien, the exhibition highlights Jarman’s work in film and painting and includes his pioneering presentation of the moving image within the gallery context. Isaac conceived the exhibition as a immersive environment and will feature never seen before examples of Jarman’s early Super 8 film experiments and installation of his 1993 film Blue as well as a selection of his paintings. The exhibition also has an installation of photographic light boxes documenting Jarman's cottage and garden at Dungeness in Kent. More 4 recently aired Isaac Julien's film Derek, a film that sees Julien and actress Tilda Swinton join forces to bring Jarman’s life and art to the screen for the 21st century. Derek is creation of real beauty reminding us of the man, his work and the luck we enjoyed having Jarman on the planet. Courtesy of the Serpentine Galley and Isaac Julien we have the chance to discover or re-acquaint ourselves with Jarman. Enjoy.

Derek Jarman Curated by Isaac Julien
Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London W2
Until 13th April 2008. 10am-10pm daily. Free admission.

www.serpentinegallery.org
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/02/watch_our_film_about_derek_jar.html
www.derekthemovie.com