Thoughts on "Eno": Spend the second half of life rediscovering the first
Rusty's Electric Dreams :: Issue #364
I made my way to see Eno when it came through town recently and I was reminded of my friend Mike’s bio: “I want to spend the second half of my life watching a recording of the first.” Watching this generative (don’t confuse this for AI which it’s not) documentary felt like a glimpse into a future where that might actually be possible.
To make the film, director Gary Hustwit, collaborated with digital artist Brendan Dawes to create software called Brain One (an anagram of “Brian Eno”). It resulted in a film that generates a brand new documentary every single time—an estimated 52 quintillion variations! Absolutely mind-blowing! The version I saw in L.A. on December 3rd will never exist again. In fact, in the post-film Q+A, Hustwit said that he was going to trash that evening’s file so it can’t be viewed again. Talk about living in the moment. I will say, knowing that I couldn’t rewatch it, I did pay a lot more attention.
Naturally, since I’ve been in promotion mode for the documentary about Allee Willis, it got me thinking about her massive archives. She literally started filming herself in the 1970s and there’s just so much footage. Could Brain One take her body of work and create infinite Allee content? I have to think so.
Imagine an app where you could watch endless versions of your own life, each time discovering something new in a different way—without a prescribed narrative. A recording of the first half of life, served up in endless possibilities for the second. I think Brian himself says it beautifully why he said ‘yes’ to this documentary and not a static one, “There’s never one story about your life.”
Hustwit mentioned that the software can generate new versions of the film at just about any length: four minutes, four hours, whatever. The possibilities feel as boundless as the variations themselves. And maybe, that’s the whole point.
The big news is that on January 24th, there’s a 24-hour global livestream Eno event planned. I will definitely be checking it out and I hope you will to. Details are in the event section below.
Also, no better time to mention Oblique Strategies, a brilliant tool that Brian helped develop in *1975*. It’s a deck of cards that offers unexpected prompts as a way to spark creativity and break through creative blocks. Many creative folks have used over the years. including me. There are app versions available too.
— Rusty Blazenhoff
P.S. Big thanks to my in-the-know friend Marcia for introducing me to Eno and flying down to see it for her second time. She said about 25% of the film was the same as her first viewing, but the rest was completely different. The director explained that the “bookends” at the beginning and end stay consistent, while the middle is where the magic happens.
As seen on the Internets
Pareidolia meets pronoia: I’m so in love with Bunnie Reiss’ Cosmic Animal Gloves series. She paints ordinary gloves, turning them into extraordinarily exquisite critters. She writes, “Seeing an object as more than just the state it currently lives in feels like the most magical part of my imagination.” Artists see the world differently, and thank goodness for that.
This and That for your consideration:
[Link Code: TT=TikTok, IG=Instagram, YT=YouTube]
This
:: This is not a dumpster (TT)
:: This is NOT AI (TT)
:: This is a real labor of love/play it here (TT)
:: This should happen at the same time as this (IG)
:: This works a little too well (IG)
That
:: That guy is still dancing at 98 99 ❤️ (YT)
:: That was uncalled for—NSFWish. (IG) Thx, Anna!
:: That was a neat way to document 17 years (IG)
:: That’s how you do it! (TT)
Real Wigs That Actually Exist: Yes way!
Christmas wigs: Look out, Miss Yvonne!
Real Thing That Actually Exists: Ashtray!
“…for wandering smokers”: Look how tony this Bird in Hand Partytime Ashtray is. It’s literally painted with 14K gold. Almost makes me wanna take up smoking, drinking, and/or bird watching (no, not really!). via (FB)
Featured Events
❤️ [Worldwide :: 1/24] As promised above.. 24 Hours of Eno
“The global streaming premiere of the generative documentary film Eno with multiple unique versions of the film around the clock. Plus exclusive video like the generative Eno art piece ‘Nothing Can Ever Be the Same’ by Brendan Dawes & Gary Hustwit, conversations with the team behind the film, surprise special guests, and other material that will only be shown during this 24-hour livestream. Viewers in any time zone on the planet will be able to watch multiple iterations of the film and much more.”
BAY AREA, CA+
[Bay Area :: ongoing] Go join an Explorers Guild event. Be part of the Raining Chainsaws art collective, or just go to one of their amazing shows or art-making events (Psst…there’s a Night Parade coming up). Attend a Wholesome Circle. See what the Church of Clown is up to. If it’s lowtide, head to TEPCO Beach. For more fantastic and affordable Bay Area happenings, check out Richie Rhombus’ Cool Happenings list (beautifully described as an “in-the-know guide for intimate, quirky, thoughtful events as well as ridiculous parties and larger gatherings outside the mainstream”). Also, keep an eye on the calendars for Flora and Fungi Adventures, Artists Television Access, City Arts & Events and The Marsh.
[Oakland :: 7/19 +7/20] Mosswood Meltdown 2025. DEVO/John Waters/etc.
LOS ANGELES, CA+
[L.A. :: ongoing] There’s always something going on in L.A. and, not surprisingly, many of the events revolve around pop culture and entertainment. In no particular order, here are a few I’ve learned of:
Electric Dusk Drive-In, Vidiots, 1iota.com, Groundlings, Cosm, Puppet Up!, Largo at the Coronet, Dynasty Typewriter, Cinespia, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Freak Nature, Lodge Room, Lucky Tiki Speakeasy, Magic Castle, Black Rabbit Rose, coffee shops, “Unique and Unusual” museums, Philosophical Research Society and my new favorite: The Los Angeles Breakfast Club.
[West Coast :: Now-12/21] El Vez’s Christmas Especial (See El Vez & friends in L.A. at the Lodge Room on 12/20)
[L.A. ::12/13 + 12/14] Krampus Nights at Philosophical Research Society
[L.A. :: 12/14] L.A. SantaCon is going strong and organizers are very clear it’s not a pub crawl.
[Los Angeles/Livestream :: 12/15] Dana Gould’s Dr. Z act is a damned delight. Catch Christmas with a Z! at 7:30 p.m. either in person at Dynasty Typewriter or via livestream. Tickets for both options available now.
[San Diego :: 8/6-8/10] 25th (!) anniversary of Tiki Oasis
❤️ [WeHo :: 2/9] Pamela Des Barres, "the world's most famous groupie," is back at her old stomping grounds. Catch her at Whisky A Go Go for her one-woman show Take Another Little Piece of My Heart. [Also, Tucson :: 1/14].
ELSEWHERE
❤️ [U.S. :: Now-2/22] Found Footage Festival: “a celebration of the videos that time forgot, dredged up in dusty thrift stores and estate sales throughout North America.”
[NYC :: Now] Luna Luna is now in New York City
[U.S. :: Now-12/19] John Waters Christmas Tour
[London :: Now] The Tate has an Electric Dreams exhibit) and, strangely, it has nothing to do with this zine 🤔)
[New York :: Ongoing] Shadow Traffic
❤️= I plan on attending!
“Next stop, little sister!” If you don’t know this reference, it’s from Hayao Miyazaki’s animated gem, My Neighbor Totoro, one of the Studio Ghibli films SJ and I love most. In the original English dub of Fox/VHS version, the Cat Bus announces, "Next stop, little sister!" as it picks up the character Mei. There’s something about the way it’s said that always makes SJ and I giggle but it was unfortunately removed in later releases. I DO still have it on VHS but, alas, no longer have a player. Would love to hear that soundbite—anyone got it digitally?! image via