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Hands Scraping

Hands Scraping reduces the frame to one sequential structure in which the action demonstrates a reductio ad absurdum, for more energy is expended at the end to do seemingly less work. The film involves a particular kind of choreography for hands: the hands of Serra and his collaborator Philip Glass have different physical characteristics and interact naturally as they adapt to each other’s movements. Both are engaged in the simple procedure of clearing a pile of lead shavings off the floor carefully and methodically. The rhythm set up by the two pairs of hands as they go about their activity conveys a sense of natural performance which transcends simple expediency.

Collaborator: Philip Glass. Camera: Robert Fiore.