”Abstract narration” by Anders Bohman

In this project, I want to create selected scenes and investigate how long an abstract narrative can work before it becomes unclear and loses interest, when it is most effective and how it can be defined. In the project that I’ve been writing together with Magnus Krepper I want to link back to the tradition of associative and abstract storytelling with a script that’s inspired by a theatrical play. Visualizing this is a great challenge that we approached with open minds. The form of the project has emerged at the same time as we have processed the script into a modern timeless world where abstraction and minimalism will strengthen and simplify what we want to shape.
In Jonna Bornemark's current book: “The immeasurable renaissance”, she addresses the need of our time to measure abstract values. Bornemark skillfully shows how we in our desire to categorize life make it increasingly one-dimensional. In order for something to have the right to exist, it must be defined and put into a category, in a folder, under the correct heading, because the present we live in constantly strives to map life with reason.
With research projects, I want to create a dialogue about a more open and associative film language and with this research contribute to a dialogue about this. With computer-generated images, we can today create entire films that look "real" All the opportunities that these images provide are very attractive and can develop the film medium. It is necessary that we understand and obtain references in the "real" lens in order to create credibility in these images in order for us to accept them. A reaction to all the utopian / elevated images used in films today is how the demand for the documentary narrative has taken a large part of the market in both film and visual media. It is important that we can use all tools when we take the school's education further with the aids that today’s technology creates and at least understands the components that the visual language creates in all film and media educations.

Research project.
The abstract picture narrative

As a cinematographer, the search for a visual expression together with the other A-functions of film has always been one of the most stimulating aspects of my work. Years of experience have taught me that if this process too early seeks a concrete result, it often leads to simple visual templates that narrow the creative world and the result is therefore often following a given trendy template of the time we reflect. Therefore, in my process I have sought to expand references early on together with my co-creators and that the process itself can give the team a basis to create a cinematic world in a new and inspiring way with abstract references as a starting point.

In my research project, I want to continue the search for a joyful and associative storytelling. It takes its starting point in an abstract approach to visual storytelling that could be seen early on in films by, for example, Victor Sjöström and his photographer Julius Janssons. I'm referring to fantastic scenes in, for example, Körkarlen or in Alf Sjöberg's Cannes winner Fröken Julie, where Göran Strindberg's visual narration takes Agust Strindberg's theater play into a strong abstract associative film world.

With computer-generated images, we can today create entire films that look "real". All the possibilities that these fantastic images provide are very enticing and can develop the film medium. It is required that we understand and acquire references in the "real" lens to create credibility in these images for us to accept them. A reaction to all the fantastic and "utopian/elevated images that are in films today, is how the demand for documentary storytelling has taken a large part of the market in both film and other visual media. It is important to research how abstract storytelling works in order to first and convey this knowledge.

A naturalistic claim

When the images become too concrete and too naturalistic, the viewer is guided to interpret the impressions according to simple templates instead of creating a connection with their imagination. The abstract visual storytelling enhances the visual language and influences our storytelling to a more “dreamy” and transcendent world.
What I as an image creator consider to be naturalistic or abstract is of course not something that applies to everyone, but a "truth" and a result of the social and cultural background that I have. The abstract takes into account the dreamlike and transcendent storytelling that often elevates the artistic expression and gives the viewer an opportunity to associate according to their own references and experiences. The uniqueness in each observer's eye can create a poetic interpretation which becomes accessible through the references each observer has.

The project

In this project, I want to reconnect with the previously mentioned tradition of associative and abstract visual storytelling with a film adaptation of Strindberg's Fordringsägare that I am making together with Magnus Krepper.
Embarking on a play and visualizing this is a big challenge that we approached from the beginning of our work with open arms about how it would be told. The form of the film has evolved at the same time as we have processed the script into a modern, timeless world where the abstraction will strengthen and simplify what we want to portray. Our idea for associative storytelling can perhaps be most closely compared to Lars von Trier's; Dogville. But in our project, the world is shaped in an abstract way based on how a specific character experiences the scene. The film takes place on a beach and in a boarding house with elements of the world the characters are in. The story is about how a strong woman is exposed to the love of two men who want to subdue her in their blunt male worlds. The design should give us a sense of how the characters relate to each other.

Goal and purpose

The project will investigate how an abstract and associative visual narrative can enhance the visual film language and influence it into a stronger experience. Is there a method where an abstract approach in an artistic process can be a tool that facilitates the process.

Knowledge-building endeavor

Images shape our perception of the world, of other people and of ourselves. Many lack the skills to be able to interpret visual expressions. A simple composition is a stance, a choice and a statement. I want to clarify this by showing how it can look with practical examples.

Method selection

The research is carried out as artistic practice. I want to shine a light on the artistic process and report the results as a video essay.

Critical approach and reflection

This research takes a critical attitude towards the standard picture narrative that traditional visual storytelling has in most cases. It connects to image analysis from both art and film history. I draw inspiration from cinematographers such as Göran Strindberg and Julius Jansson, but also from Dziga Vertov's imagery.
With research projects, I want to create a dialogue about a more open and associative film language and with this research contribute to a dialogue about this.

Exposition and documentation

The project has been documented in the Research Catalogue as a video essay with commenting text. It will be cut with the following workshops and previews, and will be presented whit the complete process when the results are shown in a seminar format. Link to Research Catalogue.