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Hand Catching Lead

In Hand Catching Lead, Serra’s first film, his right hand is in frame as he tries to catch pieces of lead as they are dropped through the frame. The hand opens and closes as it tries to grasp the falling lead, growing more and more weary with repeated attempts; the strain becomes more evident as the film progresses. While the action is sequential, it is never redundant for there appears to be a succession of still images: each time Serra tries to catch the lead his hand is in a slightly different position. Because of the tight framing, the hand also looks as though it is trying to grasp the edges of the frame, and its clasp accentuates the horizontality of the single frame against the vertical movement of the film.

Camera: Robert Fiore