Blurring the definitions

A few weeks back, filmmaker Antero Alli came through town to show his most recent project, Hysteria, at the MatrixArts Space at 1518 Del Paso Blvd. By Hollywood standards, the turnout of 50 or 60 people was no great shakes. But for a small art film, it was quite healthy, enough people to almost fill the small room. And come October, when Alli plans to come back and show an earlier film of his, titled Tragos, the word of mouth generated by those who saw Hysteria, most of whom seemed quite impressed afterward, should help pack the house.

Rhett, who takes care of the day-to-day functions of MatrixArts Space, says the gallery would like to show more avant-garde and non-mainstream films, especially ones made by local filmmakers. “I’d even like to see the Matrix host a once-a-year art-film festival,” he says.

For now, there are minor technical problems. Right now the gallery is projecting any film it shows onto a blank white wall in the back, not the optimal way to see a film. “You should see this on a reflective screen,” Sylvi Alli, the partner of Antero who composed much of Hysteria’s beautiful soundtrack music, said after the film’s recent showing. “Some of the nuances of the film’s lighting weren’t as apparent, seeing it on the wall.”

But Rhett says he’s looking to upgrade, even if it involves renting a screen, a sound system and projector event by event until permanent equipment can be acquired.

Aside from the smaller rooms at the Crest and the Tower, there really aren’t any places left in town where small, arty films can be screened, and even those rooms may be too large for really esoteric films. So an art gallery naturally offers a fine alternative venue for non-mainstream film.

But what about a music venue that doubles as an art gallery? This month, the True Love Coffeehouse, located at 2406 J St., has dedicated its walls to the Black & White Art Show. A few of the participants should be familiar to local music fans—longtime Trouble Maker Tim Foster is showing serigraphs on wood; his partner in crime Stan Tindall is represented by some pen and ink pieces. Others showing are artists Amy Wurschmidt, KAV, photographers Holly Goodman and Pete Eckert, Jamie Hendree and Bruce Gossett. While the show will be up all month, this Saturday, July 13, the True Love will host a Second Saturday reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Show up earlier, from noon to 5 p.m. to be specific, for the True Love’s monthly rummage sale and (tofu) weenie roast, especially if you’re not finding those vintage Anton Barbeau T-shirts at any Rancho Cordova garage sales.