The Books of Ed Ruscha (1969)

This rare foray into filmmaking by the iconic California visual artist opens with Mason Williams, the composer of "Classical Gas" solemnly making himself a drink on a hillside patio at dusk as if performing an incantation. Heavy reverb on the soundtrack amplifies every sound until he sits down to read through a stack of Ruscha's photography books, Twentysix Gas Stations, Some Los Angeles Apartments, Every Building on the Sunset Strip, etc. In an over-the-shoulder shot, we see each page of each book as Mason flips through them, briefly contemplating what he sees and reading any available text as a kind distanced recitation. Mason punctuates this seeming solemnity with moments of irreverence, manhandling, at times, these limited edition art objects as if they were toss away shopping catalogs as he presses on with his appointed task

Director: Edward Ruscha
Runtime: 38 min
Release Date:

Cast

Country: United States of America
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Edward Ruscha

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Books of Ed Ruscha about?
This rare foray into filmmaking by the iconic California visual artist opens with Mason Williams, the composer of "Classical Gas" solemnly making himself a drink on a hillside patio at dusk as if performing an incantation. Heavy reverb on the soundtrack amplifies every sound until he sits down to read through a stack of Ruscha's photography books, Twentysix Gas Stations, Some Los Angeles Apartments, Every Building on the Sunset Strip, etc. In an over-the-shoulder shot, we see each page of each book as Mason flips through them, briefly contemplating what he sees and reading any available text as a kind distanced recitation. Mason punctuates this seeming solemnity with moments of irreverence, manhandling, at times, these limited edition art objects as if they were toss away shopping catalogs as he presses on with his appointed task
Who directed The Books of Ed Ruscha?
The Books of Ed Ruscha was directed by Edward Ruscha.
Who stars in The Books of Ed Ruscha?
The Books of Ed Ruscha stars Mason Williams.
How long is The Books of Ed Ruscha?
The Books of Ed Ruscha has a runtime of 38m (38 minutes).
Where was The Books of Ed Ruscha produced?
The Books of Ed Ruscha was produced in United States of America.