My videos have been well received, especially in the UK. In France the Memorial Commission are interested in a screening in the camp, but it is difficult to pin them down to a date.
The most recent project in which I have been involved was “War and Peace” organised by Fiona Meadley in September 2008 for World Peace Day. Films by 8 artists were shown in venues including the Arnolfini, Bristol. One of my Rivesaltes films was chosen. The showreel was really powerful and followed by a discussion chaired by Prof Paul Gough. http://www.war-and-peace.info/
Discussion extracts:
Paul Gough:
Tell us about your video.
Jonathan Moss:
In the context of the other videos it’s quite surprising to see something so abstract with little relation to anything figurative. The subject-matter is the Holocaust and France’s involvement in the Final Solution. …
I like to play with the idea of beauty and horror existing at the same time, I try to create seductive images which are beautiful, yet with something really quite macabre going on underneath.
…
PG:
Peace is very difficult to articulate visually… Jonathan mentioned that what seems outwardly rather calm and beautiful masks some of the worst things that have ever happened. Jonathan’s work is on an edge.
You want to make them interesting for people to look at, films that are engaging. If they’re too polemic people switch off, there is a kind of seduction going on.
JM:
I hope my work works in a visual way, then you receive a ‘punch’ when you realise where its made. It’s this impact which I think makes it powerful…
Audience question:
What drew you to make films about Rivesaltes… What is it that has value for you personally?
JM:
I always have to have a connection with the landscape or it has to be linked to my family heritage… the first time I passed the camp I thought, what is that? … it’s a land with a history, that’s what’s important to me. I’ve recently been exploring my family’s Jewish heritage… I felt that it is something that I really should be involved in and try to understand better.
…
PG:
You are clearly involved.
JM:
Yes. So much so that I wanted to actually volunteer at the camp, but they’ve closed it. I felt that I needed to get out of the studio to make my experience of making the work more real. As you mentioned you do get caught up in making images work visually, I felt that something rooting me in reality would be good. But I’m still searching to be involved in other ways.
…
Audience comment:
When a film becomes abstract it really starts to engage your mind, it challenges you and gives you the space that you get with Jonathan’s film… to understand and to reflect on the subject… It helps when viewing the variety of films here tonight.
PG:
I agree.
