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The Poetic Lens of Margaret Tait (12A) + Introduction

Experiments in Film

,Cinema 2
Margaret Tait stands by two large, old fashioned cameras with a man next to her in an image from the 1970s.

A special programme presenting a selection of Margaret Tait's evocative films, all screened in their original 16mm format.

The collection showcases her distinctive blend of visual poetry and documentary realism, inviting viewers to experience the delicate interplay of light, colour, and rhythm that defines her work. 

From the tranquil beauty of "Garden Pieces" to the lyrical interpretation of Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem in "The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo," each film captures Tait's unique vision and her ability to find the extraordinary in the everyday. This retrospective offers a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the cinematic world of one of Scotland's most visionary filmmakers.

Introduced by Sarah Neely. 

Tagged with: Cinema ScreenTalks Experiments in Film

Film Programme

Garden Pieces (1998) - 12 min

Margaret Tait's final film, "Garden Pieces," is a beautiful and contemplative exploration of nature and time. Through poetic imagery and rich colors, Tait captures the serenity and subtle changes within a garden, creating a meditative experience that reflects on the cycles of life.

 

The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo (1955) - 6 min 42 s

Based on the poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, this film is a visual interpretation of the themes of beauty, decay, and renewal. Tait's use of rhythmic editing and evocative imagery brings a new dimension to Hopkins' words, blending sound and sight into a harmonious whole.

 

Colour Poems (1974) - 10 min 56 s

A series of vivid visual vignettes, "Colour Poems" showcases Tait's unique ability to find poetry in everyday scenes. The film's fragmented structure and vibrant palette reflect her experimental approach, creating a collage of moments that speak to the beauty of the ordinary.

Tailpiece (1976) - 9 min 4 s

"Tailpiece" is a reflective work that looks back on the themes and techniques of Tait's earlier films. It serves as a fitting epilogue to her body of work, summarizing her exploration of personal and observational cinema with a sense of quiet contemplation.

 

Aerial (1974) - 4 min 13 s

In "Aerial," Tait experiments with the interplay of light, shadow, and movement. This short film captures fleeting impressions of the natural world, using minimalism and abstraction to evoke a sense of the ethereal and the transient.

 

On The Mountain - 30 min

A more extended exploration of landscape and human presence, "On The Mountain" delves into the connection between people and their environment. Through a series of intimate and expansive shots, Tait weaves a narrative that is both personal and universal, reflecting on the enduring relationship between humans and the natural world.

Sarah Neely

Sarah Neely is a writer and lecturer whose work currently focuses on the areas of film history and memory, and artists' moving image. She is co-investigator for the AHRC-funded project, Cinema Memory and the Digital Archive (with Richard Rushton, Lancaster University, and Annette Kuhn, Queen Mary) and, in 2018-19, led on a year-long project celebrating the centenary of the filmmaker and poet, Margaret Tait (margarettait100.com).  Book publications include Between Categories: The Films of Margaret Tait - Portraits, Poetry, Sound and Place (Peter Lang, 2016), Margaret Tait: Personae (as editor) (LUX, 2020), Margaret Tait: Poems, Stories and Writings (as editor) (Carcanet, 2012), and Reel to Rattling Reel: Stories and Poems About Memories of Cinema-Going (edited with Nalini Paul) (Cranachan, 2018). She is currently working on a book-length study exploring the relationship between memory, archives and creativity.

Sarah has given talks and curated film programmes at a number of festivals and venues, such as Cinema Ritrovato in Bologna, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Glasgow Short Film Festival, Punto de Vista International Documentary Festival, Orkney Book Festival, Glasgow International, Small Islands Film Festival/Urras Film nan Eileanan Beaga, Istanbul Silent Film Festival, Scottish National Galleries, Stills Gallery, Scottish Poetry Library, Mills College Art Museum (Oakland, California), The Poetic Research Bureau (Los Angeles) and Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art.

Outside of the University, Sarah has served as a member of the advisory boards for LUX Scotland and Creative Stirling and has also served on judging panels for a variety of prizes and awards including the BAFTA new talent awards and the Margaret Tait Award for artists working within film and moving image. In 2017, Sarah was awarded a residency at the Ingmar Bergman Estate on Fårö island in Sweden.

Cinema 2

Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue. 

Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.