“[A] strangely compelling—almost mesmerizing—work . . . like Malick meets David Lynch, if you want a comparison, but in a deeper sense, Shoals is its own beast . . .” – Mountain Xpress
A slow-burning prairie grotesque. On the grounds of a rural sanitarium, three women search for wellness, as a cult leader seeks to control them.
Directed by Melika Bass. Featuring Carolina Gonzalez Valencia, Emily Irvine, Chris Sullivan, and Kayla Wroblewski.
Theatrical Film
“[A] fever dream of a vivid natural landscape.” –Chicago Reader
52 mins, 16mm to digital, color, 2011
Experimental Film Prize, Athens International Film Festival
Indie-Outlook’s “180 Essential Films by Female Directors”
Video Installation
UBS 12×12 New Artists/New Work
Solo Exhibition, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Shoals: a film cycle 2011, single-channel, 16mm to digital, 50 mins
Osterider School for Girls, varied remains 2011, Mixed media installation with Leone Anne Reeves
Materials: Index cards, specimen boxes, photographs, zebra grass, labels, dogwood bush, sweet bush, laurel tree, cinnamon twigs, black tea leaves, cotton, felt, human hair, red rubber ball, file folders, cave crickets, iron tools, burlap, brown bottle, unknown liquid, clock, leather boots, audiotape recording, audio recording tape, metal surplus tin, ledger, and twine.
“A lulling, singular peculiarity.” –Chicago Tribune
Installation photos by Jordan Schulman
An ARTADIA FUND and ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL supported project.