Reaction to Brakhage's article

The concept that strikes me the most in the article is that of “taking and giving.” As Brackage establishes with the story about Pathe not wanting to share his “magical discoveries” with the rest of the world, it is perverse to see film creation as a way of possessing rather than giving. As “makers” we take everything within our physical and intellectual reach to create. We take from technology and its development. We take light to create the visual outcome of our work. We take pictures in an act of freedom to accomplish the exposition of our ideas and our visions. We even take from other makers to make our own. It is amazing how an artist such as Brakhage can take from the glue on the splicing tape and create something he will give. Giving is what it is all about. Brakhage says that if he can’t share his film because of distribution problems, then it is not a film; it is more a decoration. I agree with that. We make to give, to share, to communicate, and to contribute to the development of ideas in creative ways. Creating is an act of love and as such, it could seem selfish and arrogant. However, the outcome of such an act becomes positive when it is shared and given to others for their enjoyment and gratification.