Line Describing a Cone at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Photo by LNickou, licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Line Describing a Cone at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Photo: Henry Graber under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0.

Can a film screening be considered a work of sculpture? Anthony McCall’s landmark expanded cinema piece Line Describing a Cone (1973) invites us to ponder the atmospheric components of cinema we often take for granted. Light reflecting off a cloud of haze transforms the projector beam into a strikingly-palpable cone we are compelled to touch. The capacity to interact with this “solid light film” and move about the darkened room is integral to this uncanny experience. The filmmaker encourages us to become active, attentive spectators as we communally behold—and enter into—this ethereal cone of light.

There’s no cost to attend this special 16mm screening of Line Describing a Cone at Carleton’s Weitz Center for Creativity. However, participants are asked to reserve a place at one of three screenings. Please be on time or your place might be given away. You can plan on being done an hour or less after showtime.

There will be a light theatrical haze in the room, which will be entirely dark (other than the light from the projected image). New participants will not be admitted once the screening has begun. If you make a reservation and need to cancel, please email camsprodn. Rsvp here for details, including location.