Rosy Beyelschmidt
Who killed the sandman?
1991
4:3 color video, 2-ch sound, 7:16 min, U-matic highband transferred to digital [➚]
Director · Writer · Performance · Sound : Rosy Beyelschmidt
Writer · Camera · Sound Design · VFX · Editor : Dieter Beyelschmidt
The video titled "Who Killed the Sandman" embarks on a poignant exploration of the final musings of an imaginary entity - the Sandman, a timeless figure synonymous with good dreams and gentle slumber. As the narrative unfolds, we are drawn into the delicate psyche of this ethereal being, who finds himself grappling with the unsettling reality of his waning power and diminishing influence over humanity.
In a world increasingly dominated by the relentless juggernaut of everyday life, the Sandman stands as a solitary guardian of dreams, yet he feels the weight of his fading presence. The once-vibrant realm of imagination that he nurtured is now overshadowed by the harshness of reality, leaving him to ponder his significance in an age where dreams seem to be slipping through his fingers like grains of sand. His heart aches as he witnesses the encroachment of mundane concerns that drown out the whispers of hope and wonder he once inspired.
As he navigates this existential crisis, the Sandman finds himself in a profound confrontation with other dream-bringers - most notably, the barber. This seemingly innocuous figure possesses an uncanny ability to discern precisely what the soul craves, wielding scissors like a sculptor shaping not just hair but also aspirations and identities. The barber's approach to dreams contrasts sharply with that of the Sandman; while one offers solace through restful slumber, the other provides a more immediate transformation, catering to desires that often eclipse deeper yearnings for peace and tranquility.
at: Tage des unabhängigen Films, Siegen, DE, 1991 · collection: Museum Ludwig, Cologne, DE, 1991 · Tokyo Video Festival, JP, 1992 · (Award) · Niedersächsische Videotage Salzgitter 1992 (Award) · Middleton McMillan Gallery, Charlotte/North Carolina, USA, 1992 [c] · Mediale Hamburg, DE, 1993 [c] · Prix Futura Berlin, Nights of Fiktion, Sender Freies Berlin, DE, 1993, [c] · National Video Festival, Hollywood, The American Film Institut, Los Angeles, USA, 1993 [c] · The 2nd International Soureh Video Festival, Teheran, IR, 1994 · AnnArt-5, Trench Art Festival, Sf. Gheorghe, RU, 1994 · Bilder in Bewegung, Künstler & Video/Film 1958-2010, Museum Ludwig, Cologne, DE, 2010 [c] ...
