Avant Garde; Maya Deren.

The concept of Avant Garde refers exclusively to marginalised artists, writers, photographers etc. These composers work is not only opposed to mainstream commercial values but often has a social or political edge. Avant Garde is also referred to as experimental film and is a type of film created by film makes who wish to experiment. In some ways they could have been compared to short films equivalent of Fnew wave ’La Nouvelle Vague.’ This is because the innovative ideas and experimental process of making a film are very similar.

The short film industry always struggled to compete with Hollywood mainstream but however unlike mainstream films Avant Garde found a niche audience who regarded the films as art. A well known director the experimental scene was Maya Deren. She was a film theorist as well as an Avant Garde film maker. Deren directed many experimental films in the 1940’s to 60’s and displayed a highly individualistic sensibility towards short films.

Talk about ‘Meshes in the Afternoon’