I'm too sad to tell you . June 2006

It would probably be an arduous and time consuming task to find out why an exhibition by Bas Jan Ader is showing at our local arts centre in Camden. It might be like trying to figure out if reality is about what we see or is about what we think we see. So be it. Bas Jan Ader was born in Holland in 1942 and vanished at sea in 1975. During the early 70s his explorations lead him to record 'happenings' with photographs and on film and 'I'm too sad to tell you' is a 16mm silent film he made in 1970.

Bas Jan Ader
Rene Daalder article on Bas Jan Ader
Cindy Loehr article on Bas Jan Ader
Art Guide article on Bas Jan Ader
Bas Jan Ader at the Camden Arts Centre

(1663) Uploaded on Jun 28, 2006 . Flickr Comments

clifsnap10 says: Poor Jan Ader,I find the background objects more interesting.Is it a collection of yours? It looks like an art class.i'd like to draw those objects!

Earl - What I Saw 2.0 says: Strong shot - especially with all of the ocean objects behind the folder. Well done!

Black Dust a.k.a. odonbd says: I found the picture "All is Falling", looking at the links. He could be a self-blogger, today, if he had the chance.

stewpic says: Bas Jan Aders silent recordings of photgraphic memories and happenings in the early 70s will do OK for me as I can't get any sound on my pc.

orville miggs says: I've got some speakers you can have Stewpic...

anotherphotograph says: Hi Cliff, the background objects have been collected by Jude over the years, mainly when we've been away to places - I gather pics and Jude gathers objects. You're welcome to draw them any time.

anotherphotograph says: Hi Earl, thanks .. the objects come from all over the place, the bottom layer of shells is from the West Coast of Florida.

anotherphotograph says: Odon, hi, you may have also read that Bas Jan Ader was interested in reading about and exploring many thoughts and theories including the idea of gravity - I agree, as well as drawing, painting, filmmaking and photography he would have made a fascinating blogger.

anotherphotograph says: Stewart, you'll just have to get a 'Mini-Mac' - it has the 'sound' built in - no problem, unless you're using Orville's busted speakers.

Text America) Comments

1. Posted by robertm on 6/30/2006 6:38:31 AM
Hi tony, like grey browny-beige colours, background looks a bit like a forest floor. I can't help feeling that someone who did what Ader did, must be trying to say something - but what? Put his sadness into pictures? robert

2. Posted by thanks on 6/30/2006 6:54:22 AM
Great post tonyI rememer a couple fims (documentary)on him

3. Posted by tony on 7/2/2006 3:04:00 AM
Robert, I think it's often difficult to find out or come to know why a person does what they do - even knowing ourselves and what has lead us to this moment in time is a never-ending challenge. I wonder why I wrote that? ;-)

4. Posted by tony on 7/2/2006 3:07:03 AM
Funny, thanks - Bas Jan Ade produced quite a lot of thought-provoking work during a short period of time.