Ready 2 Watch - Alive From Off Center - "Ellis Island"

A Story by dw817

The video itself is incredible and unforgettable from beginning to end. From the sepulchral tones of Meredith's choir adding ambience to her unusual camera work, to stillness and expression.

ELLIS ISLAND

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This video is Rated: EVERYONE

Alive From Off Center is a TV series I originally saw on KERA many years ago. I think I was in my 20s when I first was aware of it. It was a culmination of artists, dancers, photographers, vocalists, and people who recorded videos - all independent, and, at least to me, all very unusual people at that.

Perhaps the first video I saw that caught my interest was called, "Ellis Island" from a video artist named Meredith Monk. This video is not a documentary, neither is it science fiction, fantasy, horror, comedy, or drama.

No, to me it is the very representation of the word - VIDEO ARTIST, and my first brush with this type of unique expression.

The video itself is incredible and unforgettable from beginning to end. From the sepulchral tones of Meredith's choir adding ambience to her unusual camera work, to the stillness and expression of the residents in their residence, exportation, and deportation at Ellis Island.

Ellis Island if you are not familiar with the location was a gateway for millions of immigrants to enter the United States. Here their IDs were checked, stamped, and, if accepted, they were taught the basic rudiments of the English language before being allowed into the country.

There were immigrant inspection stations, detention stations, deportation stations, and emergency services were also available. Ellis Island was the busiest immigration gateway into the United States.

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