Hollis Frampton

Definition

Hollis Frampton was an influential American filmmaker and artist known for his experimental work in the realm of avant-garde cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. His films often challenged traditional narrative forms and sought to explore the nature of film as a medium, making significant contributions to the development of experimental narrative techniques that emphasize perception and the viewer's engagement with the filmic experience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hollis Frampton is best known for his series of films called 'The Hapax Legomena,' which explore the relationship between time, memory, and the cinematic medium.
2. His film 'Zorns Lemma' is particularly notable for its experimental narrative structure, which employs a unique arrangement of images and sound to convey meaning.
3. Frampton often employed techniques such as repetition and fragmentation in his work, pushing viewers to reconsider their understanding of linear storytelling.
4. He was also a prominent theorist on cinema, writing extensively about the philosophical implications of film as a medium.
5. Frampton's work has had a lasting impact on both filmmakers and scholars interested in the intersections between film, art, and philosophy.

Review Questions

• How did Hollis Frampton’s approach to filmmaking challenge traditional narrative structures?
  • Hollis Frampton challenged traditional narrative structures by employing experimental techniques that emphasized perception over linear storytelling. His films often used repetition and fragmentation to disrupt viewers' expectations and provoke a more active engagement with the material. By doing so, he encouraged audiences to explore deeper meanings in the relationship between time, memory, and visual representation within cinema.
• What are some key characteristics of Frampton's films that align with the principles of avant-garde cinema?
  • Key characteristics of Hollis Frampton's films include their focus on unconventional storytelling methods and an emphasis on the physical properties of film itself. His work often subverted mainstream cinematic conventions by prioritizing aesthetic experimentation and viewer perception. This aligns with avant-garde cinema principles, where filmmakers challenge societal norms and traditional narrative techniques to create a distinct cinematic experience.
• In what ways did Hollis Frampton contribute to the discourse surrounding film as an art form during his career?
  • Hollis Frampton contributed significantly to the discourse surrounding film as an art form through both his creative works and theoretical writings. He argued for the recognition of film as a unique medium capable of conveying complex ideas and emotions, distinct from literature or theater. His experimental films illustrated these concepts by pushing boundaries and encouraging critical engagement with cinematic language, influencing future generations of filmmakers and scholars in understanding film’s potential as a serious artistic endeavor.

Related terms

Avant-Garde Cinema: A genre of film characterized by its unconventional approach, often challenging established norms and traditional storytelling methods.

Structural Film: A movement within experimental cinema that focuses on the physical properties of film, emphasizing the medium's material aspects and the structural organization of images.

Film as Art: The concept that films can be created and appreciated as a form of art, rather than solely for commercial or entertainment purposes.