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MAP – Jo Ann Kaplan

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MAP – Jo Ann Kaplan

31 Jan 2024 11am
Jo Ann Kaplan was a British filmmaker and artist, renowned for her contributions in the field of experimental film and animation. Born in 1945, she had a diverse artistic career that spanned several decades. Kaplan was known for her unique style that often blended animation with live-action footage, creating visually compelling and thought-provoking works.

Her films covered a wide range of subjects, from personal narratives to explorations of art and literature. Kaplan’s work was not limited to film alone; she was also involved in various art installations and multimedia projects. Her films were often characterized by a deep engagement with the visual arts, literature, and psychoanalysis, which reflected her broad interests and intellectual background.

Kaplan’s work received acclaim in the world of experimental film and was showcased in various international film festivals and art exhibitions. Her contributions to the arts were significant, and she left a lasting impact on the fields of experimental film and animation.

UAL Jo Ann Kaplan Archive

Material relating to American filmmaker Jo Ann Kaplan. Includes research material, scripts and artwork, as well as personal material including photographs and correspondence. Not yet catalogued, access on request. Link to Jo Ann Archive collection here

Archive example:
https://www.zotero.org/groups/4560476/critical_cataloguing/items/HD7BYMYN/library

Archivist

  • Georgina Orgill Assistant Manager ASCC & Stanley Kubrick Archivist Library Services – Archives and Special Collections Centre g.orgill@lcc.arts.ac.uk
  • Sarah Mahurter University Archives and Special Collections Centre Manager – Library Services – Archives and Special Collections Centre s.mahurter@arts.ac.uk

Notes with John

  • Though Archiving – interviews.
  • Hankin bay : temporary –  (???)
  • Create a research on Case studies
  • Jo Anna Kaplan as a case study of research ….. archivist? Pedagogy? Case studies and methodology.
  • Use animation
  • 7000 written words + animation

Ideas

(and seed for a phd)

Ideas focusing on the use of the archive from the University of the Arts London (UAL) of Jo Ann Kaplan for pedagogical methodology. Here are a few ideas that could form the basis of a research:

  1. Exploring Visual Narrative Techniques in Pedagogy: Analyze Kaplan’s blend of animation and live-action footage in her films. This project could investigate how these techniques can be used in educational settings to enhance storytelling and engage students in complex subjects like art, literature, and psychoanalysis.
  2. Interdisciplinary Teaching Methods Inspired by Kaplan’s Work: Examine how Kaplan’s diverse interests and her integration of various artistic mediums can inspire interdisciplinary teaching methods. This study could propose pedagogical strategies that incorporate visual arts, film, literature, and psychoanalysis, reflecting the eclectic nature of Kaplan’s work.
  3. Archival Research as a Pedagogical Tool: Utilize the unexplored Kaplan archive at UAL to demonstrate the value of archival research in education. This project could involve students directly in cataloging and researching the archive, using it as a case study to teach research methods, archival studies, and film history.
  4. Cinematic Language and Psychoanalysis in Education: Investigate Kaplan’s deep engagement with psychoanalysis and its potential application in educational settings. This research could explore how cinematic language influenced by psychoanalytic concepts can be used as a tool for teaching psychological and sociological theories.
  5. The Impact of Personal Narratives in Art Education: Focus on Kaplan’s use of personal narratives in her films. The project could explore how personal storytelling in art can be used as a pedagogical method to encourage self-expression and critical thinking in students.
  6. Kaplan’s Art Installations and Multimedia Projects as a Teaching Model: Analyze Kaplan’s art installations and multimedia projects to develop a model for teaching contemporary art. This would involve exploring how her approach to these mediums can be translated into practical teaching strategies that foster creativity and innovation.
  7. Digital Archiving and Accessibility in Education: Considering the Kaplan archive is not yet fully catalogued, a project could be developed around the process of digitizing and making such archives accessible. This study would delve into the importance of digital archiving for educational purposes, using Kaplan’s work as a case study.
  8. Comparative Analysis of Experimental Filmmakers in Education: Use Kaplan’s work as a starting point for a broader study comparing various experimental filmmakers. This project could assess the educational potential of different styles and techniques used in experimental film, providing a comprehensive overview of the genre’s pedagogical applications.

Each of these ideas can be expanded upon to create a detailed and focused research project that not only highlights the significance of Jo Ann Kaplan’s work but also explores innovative approaches to education and pedagogy.