Emma Finn
Absentia : Cinema's Animal Spectres

Absentia: Cinema's Animal Spectres is a series in development that delves into the complex relationship between cinema and animals. Through selective use of found footage from films, I have slowly removed all traces of physical animals, leaving behind an absence that challenges our perception and understanding of these cinematic creatures.

Inspired by cinema's historical portrayal of animals on screen, the series of works will serve as studies of the ontological affinities shared by cinema and the animal kingdom. It explores the gradual disappearance of animals from everyday life and their subsequent reappearance as symbols, spectacles, and characters in films.

Absentia: Volume I begins the series by studying family movies such as Free Willy (1993), amongst others. Within this conceptual framework, the video engages with complex power dynamics surrounding human and non-human “resources”. These once-comforting films reappear with unease, evoking a sense of disconnection between their nostalgic allure and our evolving perspectives.

Absentia is an invitation to contemplate the intersections of cinema, animals, and present Postnature discourse. Through its exploration of absence and presence, it raises pertinent questions about our relationship with the non Human and the ethical implications of our cinematic engagements and ultimately - our own creations as Artists and Storytellers.