Farocki

Harun Farocki (1944-2014) was a German filmmaker, writer, and video artist known for his essay films and installations that critically examine the relationship between technology, labor, and visual culture. Born in Novy Jicin, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), Farocki grew up in Germany and began his career in the 1960s as a screenwriter for television and film. He later shifted his focus to independent filmmaking, producing a substantial body of work that spans over five decades.

Farocki's films often explore the ways in which images shape our understanding of the world, particularly in the context of war, capitalism, and industrialization. His approach is characterized by a rigorous analysis of visual materials, including newsreels, documentaries, and propaganda films, which he deconstructs and reassembles to reveal underlying ideologies and power structures. Notable works include "Images of the World and the Inscription of War" (1988), which examines the role of aerial photography in the Holocaust, and "Workers Leaving the Factory" (1995), a comparative study of the depiction of labor in early cinema and contemporary industrial films.

In addition to his filmmaking, Farocki was a prolific writer and theorist, contributing essays and articles to various publications. He also collaborated with other artists and filmmakers, and his work has been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide. Farocki's influence extends to contemporary artists and filmmakers who engage with similar themes of visual culture and political critique. He passed away in Berlin in 2014, leaving behind a significant legacy in the fields of experimental film and media studies.