Transitions, 2017, DCP 2K/HD projection, surround 5.1 (no dialogues), 13 min., edition of 5 + 1AP

Transitions is a journey from the civilizing void of the desert to a maximal urban, capitalistic and hedonistic density, which in the case of Las Vegas assumes some bizarre expression. The film is a contemplation without any people or moving machines in it, focussing on the built and designed.

Text by Esther Eppstein & Elodie Pong:
The work Transitions (2017) by Aurèle Ferrier examines the traces left by human civilisation – the conquest of the unwelcoming hostility of the desert ends in the surreal and hedonistic consumerism of Las Vegas. The camera leads us, with a menacing langour, through a backdrop of deserted city-outskirts. The buildings, cars and  billboards speak of people’s dreams as they strive for a version happiness. The prevailingly eerie, apocalyptic mood draws you along on this filmic journey. These traces of humanity seem increasingly laughable and helpless, they vibrate with a peculiar melancholy. Where have the people disappeared to? One has the impression a catastrophe has occurred, an epidemic, or maybe it is simply an empty film set after a shoot?
The film with its calm and assured grasp on image and sound is able to produce a refined suspense. The film takes the viewer on an odyssey, one that could also be a metaphor for the boundaries of human endeavor. The human culture and civilisation that emerged from the desert, will in the end be desert again.

Prizes
2021 Weitblick – trailer Ruhr-Preis, Blicke Filmfestival des Ruhrgebiets, Bochum
2021 Honorable Mention, Experimental Forum, Los Angeles
2020 First prize ex aequo, In Out Festival, Laznia Center of Contemporary Art, Gdansk
2018 Best audiovisual/video art work, Madatac Videoart & New Media Audio-Visual Art, Madrid
2018 Formal Innovation Prize, Eurovideo, Vidéographies International Video Art Association, Liège
2017 Fine Arts Grant, Canton Zurich
2017 Winner Swiss Competition, Videoex Intl. Experimental Film & Video Festival, Zurich

Credits
A film by Aurèle Ferrier — sound design and foley artist: Peter Bräker — editing consultants: Sandra Bühler, Andreas Müller — third eyes: Anna Hilti, Thomas Galler — post production: Gregg Langlois, Noé Marti — poster design: Krispin Hée — support: Kulturförderung Kanton St.Gallen (fine arts commission / film commission), Volkart Stiftung, Ernst & Olga Gubler-Hablützel Stiftung

Technical details for presentation
— DCP data for cinema sreening (2K, 1 : 1.85, colour, surround 5.1)
— HD projection, horizontal line min. 3.5m, 5.1 Dolby Surround (stereo available)

ISAN: 0000-0004-5097-0000-U-0000-0000-L
SWISS FILMS short films