The work of Canadian video artist Aleesa Cohene is characterized by the use of found footage: existing film material, usually taken from feature films and educational or instructional films. Central themes in her work include the relationship between individual emotions and people’s behaviour toward others, as well as how individual emotions relate to political discourse and to prevailing tendencies within society.

In the autumn of 2007, Cohene produced the work Something Better as a Resident Artist at Impakt. This video installation consists of three monitors, each showing a separate film. The viewer is confronted with various film characters who soon merge into three distinct personas. Through techniques such as editing and the soundtrack, Cohene creates an interaction between these three characters, focusing on their psychology and emotions. She has them argue, debate, and engage in dialogue with one another.

On this Impakt evening, Aleesa Cohene will present the video installation Something Better and will also screen several of her earlier works. In addition, Cohene has curated a programme featuring works by, among others, Fiona Tan and Arthur Lipsett, and will show excerpts from a group therapy session led by Fritz Perls, one of the founders of Gestalt therapy.

During the presentation, Aleesa Cohene will be interviewed by Rosi Braidotti, distinguished professor of The Humanities in a Globalised World at the Faculty of Humanities of Utrecht University.

Alessa Cohene produced this event as a part of her IMPAKT Works Residency, spanning over a period of two months, in which she received reimbursements, accommodation, and access to various technical facilities. Terms and outcomes of Cohene’s residency can be found here.