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Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One + Panel Discussion (15*)

I Am Furious Black x Jazz on Screen

,Cinema 3
film crew in central park

The acclaimed experimental film follows William Greaves directing a screen test of a couple arguing in Central Park; questioning both the authenticity of what we see, and the act of filmmaking. 

Fascinated by sociology and philosophy, William Greaves created the hyper-meta Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One to explore human behaviour through the lens of social roles and pressures. More of a psychological experiment than drama or doc, Greaves uses the pretence of making a film, to examine the dynamics of a crew. 

Playing out like a documentary about a documentary about making a film; all these ideas come together to reflect 1960s US counterculture, and playfully subvert audience expectations at every turn, set to In A Silent Way by Miles Davis.  

As we celebrate the centenary of both Davis and Greaves, the film brings together the musical language of the legendary musician with the complex rhythms and shifting perspectives of Greaves’ masterpiece.

Tagged with: Cinema EFG London Jazz Festival 2026 Jazz on Screen 2026 More...

The screening will be accompanied by a panel discussion with Morgan Quaintance, Jennifer Lauren Martin and Barbican curator Matthew Barrington.

Jazz on Screen is part of EFG London Jazz Festival.

Ticket prices

Standard
£15.50 (£14 + £1.50 transaction fee)

Programme

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One, 1968, dir. William Greaves, 75 min  

You’ve Got a Number, 1975, USA, dir. William Greaves, 12 min 

Panel

Morgan Quaintance is a London-based artist and writer. His moving image work has been shown and exhibited widely at festivals and institutions including: MOMA, New York; Konsthall C, Sweden; David Dale, Glasgow; European Media Art Festival, Germany; Images Festival, Toronto; International Film Festival Rotterdam; and Third Horizon Film Festival, Miami. 

His practice remains responsive to contemporary experience and so largely eschews the rehearsal of set themes. However, interests in the human condition, the cultic milieu, counterculture, ethnography, the built environment, Afro-Caribbean, African American, East Asian and British histories are all mainstays. 

Jennifer Lauren Martin is a British-American writer/director and visual artist whose work grapples with questions of interpersonal belonging. Their practice spans fine art, film and writing. Lauren Martin graduated from the Royal College of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art. 

Their UK solo exhibitions were held at Kingsgate Workshops, Primary and Turf Projects. Lauren Martin’s works have been exhibited and programmed across the UK and internationally, including at Tate Britain, ICA London, LUX Moving Image, Somerset House, South London Gallery, The Showroom, The Douglas Hyde Gallery (IRE) and Olympia Arts (USA). Their upcoming performance ‘Relations in the Ditch’ will feature as part of Somerset House Studios AGM during Frieze Week 2025. Lauren Martin is a resident of Somerset House Studios. 

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Cinema 3

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk 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.