Background

Special issue on film genre.

Credits

Editors - Philip Brophy, Raffaele Caputo & Adrian Martin
Design - Philip Brophy
Funded with assistance from the Creative Development Branch of the Australian Film Commission

1987

Published by Stuff Publications

Overview

from the introduction

"The ultimate paradox of genre is how it is theoretical in nature, yet utilitarian in value; uncontainable in a single series yet suited to endless application. Genre might be historically coded as problematic, but it has never really been and actual problem. This view becomes clearer now as the previously accelerated history of film theory slows down, facing the impasse of dogmas of politicization, dreams of aestheticism, delusions of the avant-garde, and divisions in cultural production. In this mid-80s pause, seemingly brought about by critical exhaustion, the very notion of film criticism as opposed to any theorization of the Cinema seems fragile, hesitant, lacklustre. The complex history of the cinema vaguely resembles a scrap field left over from the feverish operations of modern criticism and the explosive/implosive collages of the so-called ‘New Hollywood’ or ‘Hollywood Renaissance’. Part wasteland, Part junk yard, part compost heap, the cinema as it currently stands surely offers and opportune space for us to question: how do we look at a film today? Genre might prove a valuable divining rod in governing our way through the cinema – past and present – in order to question which critical modes and theories of perception are in sync with films been made today. Even though this assumption is more instinctive/therapeutic/cathartic then critical/theoretical/historical, it is as good a time and place as any to take a gamble and roll the critical dice."

Technical

Contents

Philip Brophy, Raffaele Caputo & Adrian Martin - Introduction
Rod Bishop - Better Being Depressed In A Sportscar Than Hitch-hiking
Philip Brophy - Rewritten Westerns / Rewired Westerns - Lawyers In Cars & Monsters With Guitars
Raffaele Caputo - I Am Curious, Female
Adrian Martin - Mr. Big
Bill Rout - Creature
John Foam - Club Video: More, More, More

Background

Special issue on image in music.

Credits

Editors - Philip Brophy & Ross Harley
Design - Philip Brophy
Funded by Stuff Publications

1989

Published by Stuff Publications

Overview

from the introduction

"Some points should be made about the climate of contemporary rock culture which has largely determined the basic ‘image’ theme for the issue. Now, by ‘image’ I’m not at all referring to something that could be qualified solely as a ‘visual substance’. The constitution, construction and consignment of images of rock are dependent on a densely and intensely interlocking (and unlocking and overlocking) network of codes and modes of signification. These ‘images’ can function as both microcosms and macrocosms capable of referring equally to (a) single, individual or isolated elements and components, and (b) multiple, complex or integrated frameworks and systems. The image of rock can thus be directed materially inward (toward, say, Michael Jackson’s dimple, or the snare sound on Low) or materially outward (toward, say, the micro-politics of soul music, or a counter-history of rockabilly). Extending this, one could say that the speed, distance and angle of all the possible inward and outward flows of images of rock (their movement) constitutes the state or climate of rock culture. If the history of rock’n’ roll, rock and pop could effectively be reduced to anything it could possibly be the charting of such climatic changes. Different directions and intensity of these flows – different climates."

Technical

Contents

Philip Brophy - Introduction
Ken Wark - Homage To Catatonia
Ross Harley - Cross The Tracks
Andrew Preston - Rocks (No Sleep 'Til Bable On)
Philip Brophy - This Ad's For You
Ian Haig - Michael Jackson's Dimple
Rock Chugg - Rock'n'Roll De/Generation
Bruce Milne - The Hotentots Of Twat
Philip Brophy - The Sound Of Rock

Background

Special issue on graphics in art (and vice versa).

Credits

Editors - Philip Brophy & Ian Robertson
Design - Ian Robertson
Funded with assistance from the Visual Arts/Crafts Board of the Australia Council

1990

Published by Stuff Publications

Overview

This issue of Stuffing has no introduction. The issue also had a near-50/50 balance of words and image. Ian Robertson's design lay-out was crucial to this. The focus on 'graphics' was intent on surveying and dissecting the peripheries of artistic endeavour at the time which were displaced from the then ossifying currents of 'contemporary art' (Trans-Avantgarde, Neo-Expressionism, etc.). For Ian and Philip, 'graphics' covered the interface between design in non-art media (cinema and music, particularly), and the ways that drafting, designing, printing and type-setting were embraced as creative tools for making artistic and conceptual statements. Hence, the issue covers industrial information posters, film title sequences, record covers, and the meta-graphic practice of Ed Ruscha.

Technical

Contents

Keith Robertson - Starting From Zero
Ian Robertson - Emergence Of The Conceptual In Post-War American Design; Saul Bass - From Graphics To Film
Philip Brophy - Post-Punk Graphic Design: The Displaced Present, Perfectly Placed
Robert Rooney - Edward Ruscha: Soldiering On, An Outpost Selection