en busca de la nada
[SS23-SS24]
En Busca De La Nada is a four-episode experimental docu-narrative in which I explore and reflect on ideas of gratitude, love, balance, spirituality, and other existential puzzles during my trip to Japan in the summer of 2023. I wrote the script using a cut-up technique to compose letters to myself from different points in the past, present, and future. I merged journal entries, excerpts from songs, readings, and other creative elements while keeping the letters in an ambiguous time structure to create a sense of timelessness and cyclicality.
//for Professor Kurashige’s summer class Encountering Japanese Religions at USC
//After Effects
//Premiere Pro
//Audition
//Ableton
//InDesign
Writing & Production_________________________________johans.
[SS23-SS24]
En Busca De La Nada is a four-episode experimental docu-narrative in which I explore and reflect on ideas of gratitude, love, balance, spirituality, and other existential puzzles during my trip to Japan in the summer of 2023. I wrote the script using a cut-up technique to compose letters to myself from different points in the past, present, and future. I merged journal entries, excerpts from songs, readings, and other creative elements while keeping the letters in an ambiguous time structure to create a sense of timelessness and cyclicality.
//for Professor Kurashige’s summer class Encountering Japanese Religions at USC
//After Effects
//Premiere Pro
//Audition
//Ableton
//InDesign
Writing & Production_________________________________johans.
[a statement]
Creating En Busca de la Nada was a joyful and experimental journey in writing and filmmaking. Art began as therapy for me, and this project brought me back to the vulnerability and introspection essential to expressing what I want to say and why. It captured a time in my life marked by learning, reflection, and change, making it a deeply personal experience.
I wanted to convey that changes, overthinking, and confusion are not only normal but can also be fun and liberating. Perception plays a crucial role in shaping our thoughts and feelings, and often, the beauty of chaos is revealed only over time. My hope is that this project brings joy and sparks similar reflections and emotions in viewers as it did for me.
[an overview]
During a Julymester study trip to Japan in the summer of 2023, I conceived the idea of creating a collection of letters for my class’s final project. The core concept, as described in one section of the publication, was to craft a story where the main conflict arose from the storyteller and the narrative technique rather than the plot itself. This concept evolved into an introspective and therapeutic process that was both enjoyable and significant to me.
I incorporated journal entries from before my arrival in Tokyo, which shared thematic similarities, and juxtaposed them with my current writings and imagined future reflections. This dynamic approach kept the project exciting and ever-changing, transforming it into a puzzle that encourages the reader to question the storyteller more than the story, thus supporting the primary idea.
I drew inspiration from Chris Marker’s Sans Soleil, not only for its content but also because it was one of the films that inspired my desire to visit Japan. Including Marker as part of the narrative served as a nod to him and fulfilled a whimsical dream of meeting him—or at least my imagined version of him. This inspired me to continue and fulfill the curriculum’s requirement for citations and quotes, which was seamlessly integrated into the story, making it more engaging.
I incorporated journal entries from before my arrival in Tokyo, which shared thematic similarities, and juxtaposed them with my current writings and imagined future reflections. This dynamic approach kept the project exciting and ever-changing, transforming it into a puzzle that encourages the reader to question the storyteller more than the story, thus supporting the primary idea.
I drew inspiration from Chris Marker’s Sans Soleil, not only for its content but also because it was one of the films that inspired my desire to visit Japan. Including Marker as part of the narrative served as a nod to him and fulfilled a whimsical dream of meeting him—or at least my imagined version of him. This inspired me to continue and fulfill the curriculum’s requirement for citations and quotes, which was seamlessly integrated into the story, making it more engaging.
The use of the cut-up technique and the alternation between first and third person was influenced by William S. Burroughs and Julio Cortázar. This method highlighted specific actions, thoughts, and emotions while maintaining an ambiguous narrator. The filmmaking process was particularly enjoyable, as I primarily used my small Casio digital camera, emulating a digital version of Chris Marker, Jonas Mekas, and Tyrone Lebon.
I aspired to create a film where the writing was so integral that it became part of the frame. This project provided the perfect opportunity to achieve that. However, I wanted more: I aimed for richness in every frame, seeking a balance between hyper-stimulation and serene film art, reminiscent of Stan Brakhage’s works. Inspired by Hans Hofmann, I aimed to abstract the background (film) while making the foreground (captions) bold and blocky, achieving a balance between chaos and order—a theme of the collection.
This approach allowed me to experiment with various abstraction techniques in After Effects, creating beautiful and unique frames that matched the emotional pacing of each episode. My ongoing experimentation with multimedia has led me to think more critically about the chosen mediums and their contributions to the work. I wanted each medium to be significant in its own right, rather than merely “extras” or “add-ons” to a central piece.
The publication focuses primarily on the writing, letting the words create the art. With the new additions to the collection, the shirts will bring another aspect of the story into the realm of abstract wearable art while the prints and collages encapsulate small stories that complement the main narrative. The exhibition will unite all these elements into a meticulously designed space, offering an immersive experience for the viewer.
[the publication]