MARFA FILM FESTIVAL 2008

Marjorie Cameron Parsons Kimmel (1922-1995) remains an elusive and enigmatic figure of the American Underground. Her work as an artist, writer, actor, and occult practitioner has recently come to light as a result of the Semina Culture exhibition, which explored the circle of artists around Wallace Berman in 1960s Southern California. Cameron's surviving work (much of it was destroyed by the artist in the late 1950's) was featured in a recent solo show at the Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery in New York. She was married to rocket scientist Jack Parsons, who initiated her into the occult practice of the O.T.O., the organization founded by Aleister Crowley. She remained Parsons' student until his death under mysterious circumstances in 1952, editing a book of his occult writings in 1989. Many artists adopted her as a kind of muse; amongst them are the filmmakers featured in this screening: Kenneth Anger, Curtis Harrington, and Chick Strand. Anger has said of her, "She was doing art for the sake of magick and her soul. She never sold her paintings."

The Wormwood Star has been made available by the generosity of the Academy Film Archive and the Estate of Curtis Harrington. Loose Ends and Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome are courtesy of Canyon Cinema.

Slides of Cameron's artwork will be projected between films.

Program curated by David Hollander