Shooting the Moon – Ian Emes

This talk was held at the new Parkside building ground floor, Ian Emes is a Artist Filmmaker and had worked on many films, there was even a display of his work in panels.He says that there are two different type of human being, there are left brain users who are mostly interested in science, mathematics, etc. However, the right brain users who are more creative were “dumped” into these art colleges. But many had emerge with great talents, even music bands were coming out from art college. Ian who was creating a digital element in his art filmmaking was commissioned to work with the Pink Floyd, in creating The Dark Side of the Moon concert into something else entirely. It was a huge success and many still remember the day it was created. Then onwards he helped create albums with a single theme. In those days artist who were lucky enough or weren’t as well known and went under the radar, they were able to play around with how they create their music instead of being restricted to a certain style.The Dark Side of the Moon was only just the start, the band was continuously evolving, they had enough freedom to play around in the studio.I think that’s one aspect of why they were so successful, they were given freedom to do what they please, rather then pleasing other people.

Ian Emes’ work

Dark Side Of The Moon-Time by Ian Emeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsxkBbkOQWA

Ian Emes style of working and beliefWithin the talk he mentioned that he doesn’t believe in a start, middle and end. That people go to the cinema and expect what they want to see and for it to be structured it a certain way. What he likes is to be presented with a piece of art to watch and self discover what it is about, without the director guiding the viewer.

I personally strongly disagree with this way of thinking, and within the audience he was questioned, yet he did not give a worthy enough answer to respond to how he thinks. But because storyline element is such an important aspect of how we understand things, it had become essential in terms of how we view things. We were taught to create an image where there is a story within.

Ian Emes method of working is more of a cycle, which he elaborate into three stages, he first experiment, then he goes broke, then he earn money. He had always worked like that, and if people question his way of doing things he would respond by saying:

“It’s what I Do.”

Ian is correct in saying, ‘It’s what I do’

Each designer, artists, story writer and others develop their own style in their due time, no one starts off with a unique style, it comes from studying and spending hours, weeks, months, years to develop a personal style.

I am still trying to find my own style, and whilst I search. I keep on expanding my own knowledge of these existing creators, because the work they create is inspiring. You may not entirely agree with the artist way of thinking or working, but you must understand the concept of their work.

And accept every person has different taste, this is a fact, that is why judging art has no definite criteria because there aren’t any. As a creator, we rarely get a chance to entirely work in our own style, because we have briefs to follow. But if you do have a chance to create something entirely in your style and the person who hired you likes your style, that is an amazing opportunity. And deep inside each and everyone of us, we ought to keep to our own style, when the time is suitable.

Karen Pang