Jan Svankmejer

Meat Love


I like this video because Svankmajer takes two inanimate objects, in this case two slices of meat, and give them characteristics and movement that give them a sense of being and life. Its short cute and fun. I also like how he slyly symbolizes sex by having the meat roll around in flour, and then it is interrupted by them being cook. Its a perfect romantic tragedy!

Passionate Dialogue


I have mixed feelings about this video. I like it at firs because although they are clay figures of a man and a women, and the natural characteristic of clay is to be molded, you forget that these figures aren't actual people. And it seems lovely how they start to intertwine and mix into each other in a lovely romantic way. However, when there is a piece of each of them left over on the table after they split apart again, neither one of them want it. Thus resulting in physical neglect and abuse, and the two figures literally rip each other apart. Classic break up scene. I didnt care for this video because it left a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Perhaps it hit too close to home. Although I appreciate his creativity, Scankmejer's other works appeal to me more!

Out of all the videos by Jan Svankmejer that we saw in class, These two were my favorites. But if you like his work, check out "Darkness Light Darkness"