Genius 2000- The Video
http://www.geocities.com/~genius-2000/
Review By Patrick Lichty (aka Voyd)
Max Herman is the new messiah, or at least he might think he might be.
At least he wants you to think so. I received the Genius 2000 video
from Oakland-based performance artist Nickolas Herman (who plays Max)
this week, and in spite of myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the piece.
Although rough-hewn and drawn out in places, Genius 2000 is one of the
more human pieces of performance-based film that I have seen in a while.
Don't listen to Max. Watch him.
Genius 2000 operates on many levels. It is a film about taxonomy,
philosophy, and the human condition at the turn of the Millenium. The
film is divided into a series of sections, delineated by a momentary
reflection on a Greek or Latin word root (such as hybris, ate, and so
on). And in each of these sections, we see Max, our self-styled
Millennial Messiah, hanging out in Bay Area coffee shops, Christmas
parties, and at the Mall of America, as he passes out Genius 2000 tracts
and ponders the nature of Genius at the turn of the Millennium. What is
the meaning of the word, "Genius", and how can one relate to such a
term? Can anyone who ponders such a term ever truly fit the definition,
defeated by their own self-reflexivity, or are we all, in fact, capable
of being Genii in some way?
Max also raises the question of Christianity, not as a religion, but as
a philosophical concept. If we decenter Christianity from a religious
context to wonder who can be 'chosen' or 'anointed' in the age of media
hype, what are we left with? Are we stuck in some Warholian milieu in
which virtuosity is measured in terms of media star power, and
conglomerations of corporate (profit or non-) influence? Perhaps, and
Max looks at ways to get his ideas across through the media, new and
traditional. Because what's the use in being a Messiah if no one hears
you?
If you've been reading any of the Internet mailing lists that are "in
the know" about New Media Art, you've heard Max. He rants about about
Classical, Transcendental, and Romantic thought, frequently breaking
down into Oakland street trash talk. But that's Max. In an age of
media polemic, he gets your attention, although you might not get what
he's trying to tell you.
Perhaps what Max says isn't as interesting as watching his journey.
Genius 2000 isn't about product, it's a process. It's an ethnographic
snapshot of American culture at the fin de millennium. Scenes that come
to mind are ones of handing out tracts at a street festival, proclaiming
with friends that they've 'figured it out!" while driving across the Bay
Bridge, and asking his parents whether he might be a Genius. In so
doing, I wonder whether if there were a Second Coming, would the Messiah
come floating to Earth in a blaze of Industrial Light & Magic -
augmented glory? Or, would he be playing hockey and scarfing down
blueberry waffles in Minnesota while questioning whether he may have
really unraveled the riddles of human existence? A Messiah listening to
the dying words of Charles Geter on NPR, abjectly munching nacho chips
by the dashboard light.
And it's this sort of humanity, in its roughshod, snarky, late-night
cable access TV glory that's appealing, garage band soundtrack and all.
Admittedly, it's not perfect, as its message sometimes gets obfuscated
in endless Clerks-esque coffeeklatsch banter and discontinuous edits.
But it's this quality that makes me appreciate Max's journey of self
exploration, in an almost Heian sort of admiration for the imperfect and
cracked. In an era when media art is characterized by ironic play and
critical distancing, Max's genuineness is oddly refreshing.
"Genius is often held in a cracked pot," says Max's mom over waffles.
And maybe Max is the sort of 'crack(ed)-pot" that could signify that
Genius that we all possess. Is he the Chosen One? Probably not, but
who knows? Regardless, Genius 2000 is the slightly less-than-epic story
of a modern-day Messiah that, despite its flaws, has despite my better
judgement, won me over.
+ + +
Replying to Patrick, justis wrote:
Your review of Genius 2000- The Video is right on target.
To tell y'all the truth I was deeply afraid of meeting Max Herman in the
flesh. I made russ accompany me and we met in a public location on
Tuesday evening. One should never judge and attitudes we have of those
on the Internet can often be incorrect.
I was mesmerized by Max from the moment we met. He has the most
incredible eyes I have ever seen, they are gold. He almost appears to
radiate light.
Max is a gentle being, humble and intelligent. He answered genuinely my
direct questions about The Genius 2000 Project and his motivations. When
I asked him if posting his petition on RHIZOME was a publicity stunt he
looked me directly in the eyes and respond "no". I believe him. He is an
artist and wants his work acknowledged. I wish we would have had more
than one hour to speak with Max. He is a fascinating individual.
I decide to watch Genius 2000- The Video during my Wednesday morning
radio broadcast. Five minutes into the film my eyes began to well up
with tears. I had the most incredible feeling of deja vu. I had dreamt
that film. I had dreamt writing an email to RHIZOME concerning Max's
film screening and appearance on our show.
I don't wish to give away any key scenes in this film because I hope
many will be able to look upon and experience this work of art without
preconceived notions as to its contents. The question with intent is:
"what is genius"?
Genius is a fine line between sanity and insanity. Earth is the fine
line between heaven and hell. There is a God whom we all question and
use as a foundation in our works of art when in reality that God is each
and every one of us.
So much arguing and bitterness. The true genius is the one whom can make
a difference without being noticed.
Quietly.
