There's something about Portland that creates magic. I don't know if it's the rain, the mountains, the food carts, the bike-friendly streets, the cheap rent, or what....but the people and things that come from there-or live there-or come out of there are generally pretty amazing.
One person currently proving my point is writer/video artist Cat Tyc.
Cat Tyc has been steadily producing video work ranging from gallery shown pieces to experimental karaoke videos since 2002. In between exhibiting at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, The Portland Experimental & Documentary Festival, Ladyfest East, on Miranda July's Big Miss Moviola/Joanie 4 Jackie video series, and countless other venues big and small, Cat shot the showcases for The Rock N' Roll Camp for Girls--which is one of the coolest things ever created. Recently Cat has finished her first narrative film Umbrella, which focuses on a woman having an abortion and a documentary/profile on artist Nicole Georges. She's also currently working with Pashly on a series of video installations.
After reading about all the cool stuff Cat has done over the years, I had to see what she was all about. So I jumped over to her vimeo page to watch Umbrella, and this left me even more impressed with Cat Tyc. Umbrella blends beautifully shot film, experimental technique, and artfully selected music and sound to create a compelling and abstract take on a subject that could have easily turned into melodrama ala an episode of 90210.
Be sure to check out Cat's website to see what else she's been up to, and don't forget to head over here to watch some of her work. In the meantime, I've included a piece from 2006 entitled "Furness" and the "Night Owl" video she made for the awesome (but now defunct) band Swan Island.
