video
“My Skeleton, my Narcissism, an Interchangeable Hell”
This 22 minute narrative film tells the story of a character caught between two realities – a metonymic technological reality and a human reality, and in the human reality there is the state of narcissism. Because this conflicted character cannot reconcile these two states, and because both states cannot interact, he is at war with the duality with which he is presented. In one reality, he is aggressively engaging with the destruction of technological machines in a state of driven madness. In the other reality he is contemplative of his human existence and daily experiences. The hell is created by the schism of the constant narcissistic introspection, doubt and deep internal analysis.
The character uses descriptive language in his monologues to communicate this existential struggle, and his meditations on life and death. His sense of narcissism in his constant psychological indulgence and obsession with himself is the apex of a crisis of evolution of his being which is composed of both realities. As he tears apart the layers and circuitry of the machines, he finds a sense of salvation and sympathy with the tarnished materials. The viewer is left to decide whether these two realities are valid and what consequences exist as a product of their relationship.
Video done for Murder Lazer Cinema. 2008. Written by and starring Evan Tyler with sound production and scoring by Chris Bridge.
“Great Consumer Death Warriors Will Rule your Face”
This is a performance-based public intervention that features a robot dancing inside of Wal-Mart. The video also features footage of a graveyard and of suburban homes, representing the landscape of the developing suburbs in my city. When I made this video I was questioning my placement within the bland, suburban consumerist culture around me. This video is my response to the mundane existence of shopping malls and large houses.
Video, 2007
Performance and soundtrack by Evan Tyler.
“Art vs Art”
This short narrative adopts the "Spy vs Spy" comic theme and applies it to the co-existence of a traditional painter and a conceptual new-media artist. The two characters collide in a sudden intersection of their daily routines and only one shall be the victor, for this time around.
Video, 2008
Staring Sean Moxley and Evan Tyler. Original soundtrack by Evan Tyler.
“Large Bird Playtime”
In this video a large bird enjoys playtime activities on a school playground. The bird plays enthusiastically alone, reminding the viewer of the endless possibilities of the imagination and the brilliance of 'play'. This video was part of a collaborative project exhibited shown at "Scenofest: The Birds", at the Prague Quadrennial in the Czech Republic as well as at the Fifth Parallel Gallery, Regina, Saskatchewan for "The Birds: Utopia, Dystopia and Anatopia".
Video, 2007
Starring Taylor Harvey
audio and video by Evan Tyler.
“Public Secrets”
In this video the artist displays acts of secrecy in an urban public location. What is normally kept in the safe and private quarters of one's home is relocated in a public venue; the result is provocative.
2007
Staring and Produced by Evan Tyler
“Hot Peppered Ballad with Banana Cigarette Death”
The viewer watches a standing cigarette burns slow motion to its demise in windy conditions. While the cigarette burns, an audio track plays featuring a dark and eerie ballad concerning issues of life and death. This is followed by a cat eating wet cat food on an expensive rug. The piece is intended to remind us that no matter how strong and determined we are, death is certain and until it comes we can all feats on sloppy meat on expensive rugs.
2008
Filmed and produced by Evan Tyler. Special appearance by PieWackett, the cat.
"Elevator Scenario"
Disturbing things are a foot when two strangers encounter each other in elevator quarters.
2007
Staring Chris Bridge and Evan Tyler. Original soundtrack by Chris Bridge.
Veggie Bacon
2007
During a temporary vegitarian diet, the artist desperately longs for the savory texture and taste of flesh. He reconciles his dilemma with soy protein and contemplates his lifestyle decision while the veggie meat dances on the frying pan.
"Patriotic"
Video, 2008 by Evan Tyler
Soundtrack by Chris Bridge
Commercial novelty t-shirts and a wet cat food feeding.
Noodle on the Soap
There's a noodle on the soap.
2009
Cucumber in the Sauna featuring Wood
Relaxation is an essential part of nature.
2009
Everybody Looks
A man sitting on a bench downtown Jyvaskyla , Finland looks.
2009
Kathryn Calder - Castor and Pollux
This is a video response to the song "Castor and Pollux" which is an original composition by Victoria-based musician Kathryn Calder. The song is from her debut solo effort "Are You my Mother?" released in 2010 on File Under Music.
The video portrays the coming together of two kindred spirits and the playful endeavors which lead up to their connection. Through the juxtaposition of Toronto's high-paced metropolis as well as the open vastness of Saskatchewan's prairies, physical landscapes and cognitive landscapes are utilized to challenge the viewer's sense of time and space. It is my intention and hope that this video evokes a heart warming sense of beauty and humour in the context of a modern love story. If time is all that we have, then we should spend that time doing what we love with who we love.
Evan Tyler 2010
Original song by Kathryn Calder.
A special thanks to Marek Tyler, Ashley Clark, John Johnstone, 2Fik, Shop Girls and Kathryn Calder
On Daniel Jordan
After Ghostbusters 2