Balsom joined me to talk about the book (out now from Fireflies Press) and the many-sided approach she took to writing about one of the most deceptively simple—and beautiful—films in Benning’s fantastically varied body of work. We also discussed where Ten Skies fits into his filmography, the ways in which Benning plays with his own identity, how ten static shots of clouds can be a powerful political statement, and much more. Balsom will introduce a screening of Ten Skies at Light Industry in Brooklyn on July 1.
Links and Things: Erika Balsom on James Benning’s PLACE in Artforum “On Being Bored” by Adam Phillips “The Storyteller” by Walter Benjamin Films by James Benning available on DVD from Gartenberg Media Benning on “Two Cabins” in Artforum
