The Five Obstructions

The Five Obstructions (2003) Danish film by Lars Von Trier and Jøgen Leth

Why did Lars Von Trier ask Jøgen Leth to make the five movies with obstacles? Why did Jøgen Leth hesitate every time when he heard the instruction from Lars?

In the Fifth films, Lars said “to help Jøgen to be perfect....” In his monologue, I could understand the reason why Lars asked Jøgen to make movies with obstructions. To be a perfect human, he has to overcome his situation whether good or bad.

It was really uncomfortable when I was watching the movie, because, I really understood the situation. When people get older, they get used what they have done through their life. The people could get perfect professional achievement like Jøgen Leth in a certain area, yet they don’t want to try new things after they gain  reputation, because they afraid to lose their fame. If I were him, Jøgen, could I do that? Could I try to overcome my achievement to be a better person? Celebrities could sense more obstacles than commoners when they apply something in a new area because they are famous as professionals.  

This movie was an experimental movie which consists of 5 documentaries. It starts with that Lars suggesting to Jøgen to remake his movie, ‘The Perfect Human’. Lars gave him very difficult obstructions in the movie.

The obstacle in first documentary is that Las should remake the film in Cuba without setting and using only 12 frames. The first documentary looked like a music video to me. It was visually pleasant. Second obstruction in the film is making in the most miserable place in the world, and Jøgen should play ‘The Perfect Human’ by himself with eating scene. Yet, his mission was failed because the local people shouldn’t be in the scene. The third obstruction in the film is making the movie without a rule in Brussels as the punishment from the second film…which was the real challenge. The fourth obstruction was making ‘The Perfect Human’ as a cartoon. Jøgen said that he couldn’t..but the outcome was really good. It was really sensational. The final obstruction is that Jøgen should voice over narration as Lars directed.

Every time, for Jøgen, making movies with the obstruction was the real challenge. In his situation, his fame and his profession that can’t be ignored by the people’s appraisal, I could understand Jøgen’s pressure to overcome the obstructions. I was really pleased when I saw that Lars admitted to Jøgen’s achievement. 

The Final Installation 'Pulse'

The Final Installation in the 'Pulse'

A curtain  is hung on the frame.

sketch_ Nov,

These wooden bars will be connected with Dowel Pins for the curtain frame.

These are Dowel Pins.

These are the motion sensors and other items for the light.

Sketch 10. 21

The fabric has finally arrived. It is 60 inches by 14 yards, but actually I wanted to buy an 18 yard according to the frame size. However, the company sent an email that they have only 14 yards. I couldn’t find other fabric companies and time was running out. Anyway, I’m relieved that the fabric color is better than I expected.

These photos are the wood bars for the frame. I drilled the holes for connection of each bar with my husband's help.                                                                                    

  

  

Sketch 10.19

These are the wooden bars for the curtain frame.

My husband and I started to cut the bars to the right sizes.

  

Sketch 10.14

I bought an LED bulb with 90 watt replacement for the installation, and checked it in my room. It was evening and the bathroom’s light turned on at the time, so it wasn’t completely dark. Maybe, in the installation, it will be hard to block the part of the gallery’s light. Considering the situation, the light is pretty brighter than I have expected. I’ll put one more bulb, if it isn’t as bright as I expected. 

This photo is for the motion sensor of the light bulb, yet I was not sure what is good for the installation. I’ll search for more motion sensors to find the right one. 

  

Sketch 10.11

This is a floor plan of Patti and Rusty Rueff  Galleries. I plan to make a wooden frame for the red curtain. The table length is 5 feet and width is 3feet, so the size of the wooden frame will be 11 feet for the width, the depth and the height will be 8 feet.  The top of the box will be covered with boards or black fabric.

I’ll attach the gallery wall and the red parts of wood furring strips and the curtain will hang on the frame. If the frame isn’t stable, more wood furring will be placed between the bottom part (green dot part).

sketch 10. 08

There will be table setting in the installation. 

Inspiration

                                                                    By Andy Goldsworthy

                       
                                                                         By Damien Hirst

Sketch 09. 24

For the installation, I’ve checked the Patti &Rusty Rueff Galleries again. When I checked the West side, it looked very large for my future installation. I was confused, because its condition was different than when I saw the space at first. In my imagination, my installation will fit into the small space which is connected with the East gallery.

The idea about the spotlight… before checking the lights, I wondered ,“Can I install the motion sensor for the light?” and I relieved when I saw the lights, every light has a own electric plug. However, the light …does it have any problems for turning the light on and off for short period to a long time?

Sketch 09. 23

I had a plan to use my cellphone to record with a motion sensor in the installation. However, I have a question. The cellphone has its own battery so it can't work with motion sensor. If so, do I have to buy a recorder?

sketch 09.16

This photo is the table and the chairs that my family uses now. After my children leave, I will feel emptiness definitely, even though my husband sits by me. What will I do to fill the emptiness? Probably, I will create art with hope.

sketch 09.14

An audience came into the space that installed the curtains, the table and the chairs, the spotlight and my family’s dialogue starts. I think there is no problem when a spectator comes into the space, but two or three people come into the space successively, what could happen? Will the motion sensor work? 

sketch 09.13

Other students suggested that replacing the nest with an old table and chairs that my children used would imply the emptiness of the future, so I’ve changed my plan. The installation consists of the curtains, the spotlight, the table, the chairs and the conversations of my family. However, I’m curious about the visual impact of the work. Is it enough?

sketch 09. 10

For the installation sketch, I would like to express my fear of the future after my children leave. I planned to install a big bird's nest and hang milkweed seeds inside of the curtains. The curtains and the nest embody my mind -the emptiness of the future -and the hanging seeds symbolize the hope that there is a new life for me. However, I've heard that my intention is too literal...

sketch 09.09

The beauty of everything...

They are still pretty even though I can't eat them.

sketch 09.04

While I sleep....09.04.2015

sketch 09.03

A broken nest...09.03. 2015

     

sketch 09.02

When I was an undergraduate, my mom showed me a milk seed pod. It looked like  dandelion seeds, but it was bigger and fancier...Is it possible that I can install the seeds for the final installation?                                                 

09.02.2015