Artifacts of the Present: Portrait of a Printmaker

"Art is a gift from tomorrow's dead to tomorrow's living."
by
Willow O’Feral
Brad Heck
2023
14 mins

Diagnosed with terminal leukemia, printmaking artist Brian D. Cohen reflects on his life, work, and relationships. Artifacts of the Present is a powerfully moving and poignant documentary portrait of an artist facing mortality, and immerses the viewer in Brian’s home, workshop, and art. His son David composed the original music.

As soon as the mesmerizing music begins, the viewer is instantly immersed into this meditatively beautiful short film ... This short film is highly recommended for middle school through general adult audiences and can easily be incorporated into class time with a tight 13-minute running time. It would be a lovely complement to any discussion on art but could also easily be used in a philosophy discussion or a study on end of life. It would be a beautiful example to share with film-making students as well. It’s powerful how much this film shares with its viewers in such a short time.
Sarah O'Shea, Access Services Librarian, SUNY Oswego
Educational Media Reviews Online
Read more at: emro.libraries.psu.edu

Synopsis

Artifacts of the Present immerses the viewer in printmaking artist Brian’s world at his home and workshop on the coast of Maine — his model airplanes and trains, wall-to-wall books and curling wooden staircase up to his studio, the vintage MG in his garage which shares space with a printing press — and above all, Brian’s work: the copper plates and engraving tools, mixing ink and wiping plates, working on his plates and printing from them, his hands and what it means to him to have spent a life working on metal. Diagnosed with terminal leukemia, printmaking Brian reflects on his life, work, and relationships. His son David composed the original music for this short, powerfully moving and poignant documentary portrait of an artist facing mortality.

Awards and Screenings
Jury Special Mention, Made Here Festival 2023

Director Commentary

Over a decade ago I was a printmaking student of Brian's. I loved his quiet masculinity, deep voice, thoughtful approach to art-making, and his intense face - so much so that I asked him to participate as an actor in one of the experimental "dream narrative films" that I was making as a college student! (And that is a whole other story, involving an antique rifle, a trench-coat, and a giant four-legged animal costume). Having maintained a connection and a friendship over these past 16 years, Brad and I created this portrait of Brian when I discovered that he was terminally ill and racing against time to pull his body of artwork together into a retrospective. If "Art is a gift from tomorrow's dead to tomorrow's living," as Brian says, then his frank, vulnerable, and exquisite openness in talking about dying and the role that art plays in our lives is itself a gift to tomorrow’s living. I hope that viewers will examine their own feelings and attitudes towards death and mortality, and reflect on the profound role of art that can shape and change us in ways that we need, crave, and deeply benefit from over the course of our lives.

Features and Languages

Film Features

  • Closed Captioning

Film/Audio Languages

  • English

Subtitle/Caption Languages

  • English

Promotional Material

Promotional Stills

In the center of the frame is a man sitting at a drafting table; tools of his craft surround him and a single desk lamp illuminates the room. The frame is cut off at an angle from the ceiling of the diagonal room. The title of the film is at the top of the image in white text and additional information at the bottom.
Artifacts of the Present Poster
In the center of the frame is a man sitting at a drafting table; tools of his craft surround him and a single desk lamp illuminates the room. The frame is cut off at an angle from the ceiling of the diagonal room. The title of the film is at the top of the image in white text and additional information at the bottom.
Artifacts of the Present - Horizontal Poster
Brain Cohen bent over the desk in his studio working on etchings.
Printmaker Brian Cohen in his studio
Close up shot of Brian etching a plate
Brian etching a plate
Overhead close up shot of etching
Brian etching a plate
Insert shots of etchings laid out in a studio
Brian's Plates
Behind the scenes photo of a busy work room, prints are strewn across multiple desks, a man sits to the right of the frame, illuminated by a yellow light, leaning over working.
Behind the Scenes Photo 1
Camera mounted to the back of a truck
Behind the Scenes Photo 2
In the closeup is a screen with a man and woman displayed working at a printmaking table, in the background is a cameraman filming the two and another woman working at another station in the big open studio.
Behind the Scenes Photo 3
Camera mounted on back of truck filming characters driving in a car seen through a rearview mirror.
Behind the Scenes Photo 4
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