Jennifer Elster
{{Short description|American filmmaker, writer, and creative entrepreneur}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jennifer Elster
| image = Jennifer Elster by Jennifer Elster.jpeg
| alt = Jennifer Elster
| birthname =
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| birth_place = New York City, New York
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| education = New York University (NYU)
| occupation = Filmmaker, writer, artist, performer, photographer
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| website = https://www.channelelster.com
}}
Jennifer Elster is an American experimental artist, filmmaker, writer, photographer, musician, and performer. She is the founder of The Development, a film and art studio based in New York City. She is best known for her performance artwork, her solo multidisciplinary exhibitions, The Retrospective of an Extroverted Recluse, and The Wake The F*ck Up Show, as well as her artistic collaborations transforming the late David Bowie into different characters and having written lyrics Yoko Ono performed for the online cinematic excursion Elster helmed entitled ITW Pathway featuring Will Oldham and the late Glenn O'Brien. Elster conceived and directed her upcoming fourteen year film project ...In the Woods (and Elsewhere), which features subjects such as Terrence Howard, Debra Winger, Questlove, Rosie Perez, and Dave Matthews, among others. Elster's performance and video art have been exhibited at the New Museum and Central Booking gallery, in group shows with artists, such as Jonas Mekas and the late Kate Millett, and she has performed at such galleries as Signs and Symbols Gallery, Catinca Tabacaru Gallery, and The Development Underground. Her work focuses on the complexities of humanity and the ongoing fight for social justices. She designs under the J. Elster brand.
Career
Jennifer Elster was born and raised in New York City.{{Cite web|url=https://artzealous.com/artist-spotlight-jennifer-elster/|title=The Woman Who Does It All – Jennifer Elste|last=Adduci|first=Kristina|date=January 6, 2016|website=artzealous.com|access-date=2018-04-16}} She began creating art at an early age as a way to deal with the harshness of reality. Elster obsessively wrote as soon as she was able to write. She created sculptures of people and directed plays and wherever else her imagination took her as a child. As a teenager, she began doing performance dance in the underground art scene at clubs such as The Garage, Tunnel, Fun House, and M.K. She attended New York University, majoring in psychology and writing and graduated with honors.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/19235377/|title=Young Festival and Filmmakers Find Their Way|last=Lieberman|first=Paul|date=10 May 2003|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=2018-04-14|language=en|via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thefashionspot.com/runway-news/610049-designer-watch-jennifer-elster-j-elster/|title=Designer to Watch: Jennifer Elster of J. Elster|date=2015-06-26|work=theFashionSpot|access-date=2018-04-16|language=en-US}} Elster began her career at Conde Nast, working as a fashion assistant at Mademoiselle to subsidize her college tuition. She quickly got promoted to Market Editor and then stylist. She then left to pursue her obsession with writing, but was sought after for her unique aesthetic and ended up styling such artists as the late David Bowie for Outside, Chloe Sevigny, Shirley Manson, Trent Reznor, Isabella Rossellini, and Kate Winslet.{{Cite web|url=https://theknockturnal.com/artist-jennifer-elster-opened-doors-pop-space-tribeca-vip-preview-retrospective-extroverted-recluse-part-one/|title=Artist Jennifer Elster Hosts VIP Preview Of 'The Retrospective Of An Extroverted Recluse'|date=2016-05-20|website=The Knockturnal|access-date=2018-10-02}} Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including covers and stories for Rolling Stone, The Face, Dazed, and Time Magazine.{{Cite web|url=https://fashionunfiltered.com/people/2017/jennifer-elster-j-elster-leather-accessories-collection/|title=Jennifer Elster Makes Accessories for Modern Women|last=Darcella|first=Aria|date=2017-05-17|website=Fashion Unfiltered|access-date=2018-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017203347/https://fashionunfiltered.com/people/2017/jennifer-elster-j-elster-leather-accessories-collection/|archive-date=October 17, 2018|url-status=dead}}
In the late 90s, she began making experimental films. In 2000 she held her first private art show at the Shooting Gallery, exhibiting a series of stencil canvases and screening an experimental film.{{Cite web|url=https://observer.com/2016/05/jennifer-elster-whos-collaborated-with-bowie-and-yoko-ono-has-mysterious-new-show/|title=Jennifer Elster, Who's Collaborated With Bowie and Yoko Ono, Has Mysterious New Show|last=Cohen|first=Alina|date=2016-05-17|website=Observer|access-date=2018-10-17}} Elster made her first short films on shoe-string budgets.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/11/realestate/habitats-battery-park-city-interrupted-by-sept-11-a-filmmaker-resumes.html?smid=pl-share|title=Habitats/Battery Park City; Interrupted by Sept. 11, A Filmmaker Resumes|last=Hall|first=Trish|date=2003-05-11|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-10-17}} Dirty and Ill Will were both shown at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2001.
A native New Yorker, Elster was greatly affected by 9/11 and cited the experience as "an inevitable influence" on her work and life.{{Cite news|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/595095192/Filmmakers-Truth-influenced-by-911.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923182616/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/595095192/Filmmakers-Truth-influenced-by-911.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 23, 2018|title=Filmmaker's 'Truth' influenced by 9/11|last=Elber|first=Lynn|date=2004-10-03|work=Deseret News|access-date=2018-10-02}}
In 2003 Elster's debut feature, Particles of Truth, which she wrote, produced, directed, and starred in, premiered in the Tribeca Film Festival and aired on the Sundance Channel and Netflix. The small-budget indie was described by Variety as "what Hollywood mightily strives for – a believable romantic comedy."{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2003/film/reviews/particles-of-truth-1200541283/|title=Particles of Truth|last=Scheib|first=Ronnie|date=2003-06-03|work=Variety|access-date=2018-10-18}} Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times called it "an assured and ambitious first film," noting that, "The images of Particles of Truth are so sharp and cut so deep, it's as if its writer-director and co-star Jennifer Elster made them with a scalpel."{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-12-wk-screen12-story.html|title=The ultimate rock fan|last=Thomas|first=Kevin|date=2003-06-12|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=2018-10-18}} Eric Campos of Film Threat described the film as "quite an intense emotional rollercoaster with standout performances, especially from Elster."{{Cite web|url=http://75films.com/75_presskit.pdf|title=Particles of Truth|last=Campos|first=Eric|date=2003|website=75films.com|access-date=2018-10-02}}
In 2010, Elster directed The Being Experience: The Prologue as a precursor to her upcoming film series.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/popcandy/2013/06/17/being-experience/2431175/|title=Moby, Questlove, others endure puzzling 'Experience'|last=Matheson|first=Whitney|date=17 June 2013|work=USA TODAY|access-date=2018-04-14|language=en}} A diverse group of people participated, including Moby, Temple Grandin and Yoko Ono. Paste Magazine reported of the episodic release: "The delivery will be as unconventional as the experience itself."{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2010/09/exclusive-clip-will-oldham-in-itw-pathway.html|title=Exclusive Clip: Will Oldham in ITW Pathway|last=Regan-Porter|first=Tim|date=2010-09-21|website=Paste Magazine|access-date=2018-10-02}} The Being Experience had been described by Paste as an "eerie psychological ride",{{Cite news|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/06/uestlove-terrence-howard-and-others-explore-the-wi.html|title=Questlove, Rufus Wainwright and Others Appear in New Series, The Being Experience|last=Keong|first=Lori|date=2013-06-13|work=Paste Magazine|access-date=2018-10-03}} while IndieWire notes the unconventional nature of Into the Woods: "Elster's subjects are both literally and figuratively unaware of their path."{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/06/exclusive-questlove-alan-cumming-and-moby-go-into-the-woods-in-the-being-experience-film-series-trailer-37631/|title=Exclusive: Questlove, Alan Cumming and Moby Go Into the Woods in 'The Being Experience' Film Series Trailer|last=Cipriani|first=Casey|date=2013-06-13|work=IndieWire|access-date=2018-10-18}} In 2013 Elster then directed the interactive online experience ITW Pathways, a haunting glimpse into the labyrinth minds of the filmmaker and her subjects, where pathways always recede and no one can really say where it's going other than "…In the Woods". This interactive experience is of parallax depth, pushing the limits of the medium in unexplored directions. These online experiences explore a new way to tell a story and interact within a cinematic experience through pathways that lead to plot twists and interactivity, bringing the audience deeper into the world of "…In the Woods." This online experience was released while in post production of the upcoming film series"... In the Woods (and Elsewhere)", and features artists such as Terrence Howard, Will Oldham, Jørgen Leth, and Famke Janssen. Elster's upcoming film series "...In the Woods (and Elsewhere)" has been fourteen years in the making and will conclude filming in the summer of 2020.
In 2013, Elster expanded her repertoire by founding the J. Elster brand. The New York Times commented on "the beauty of the handmade pieces."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/04/fashion/Celebrate-the-rock-gods-this-spring-by-going-all-out-glam.html?_r=0|title=A New Way to Go Hands-Free|last=Blumenthal|first=Erica M.|date=2016-05-04|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-10-18}}
Elster launched ChannelELSTER.com: A Place for Out of the Ordinary Cinema and Sound{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/jennifer_elster_presents_the_official_launch_of_channelelster_com_a_place_for_out_of_the_ordinary_cinema_and_sound/prweb13068033.htm|title=Jennifer Elster Presents the Official Launch of ChannelELSTER.COM: A Place for Out of the Ordinary Cinema and Sound|last=Bassil|first=Beth|date=2018-09-27|website=PR Web|access-date=2018-10-18}} and opened The Development, a private underground studio and "living installation",{{Cite web|url=https://twelvmag.com/people/new-type-9-jelster-jennifer-elster-interview|title=New Type #9: J. Elster - Jennifer Elster Interview|last=King|first=Caitlin|date=2016-05-06|website=Twelv|access-date=2018-10-02}} in 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.whitewall.art/art/experiencing-jennifer-elsters-retrospective-of-an-extroverted-recluse-part-one|title=Experiencing Jennifer Elster's "Retrospective of an Extroverted Recluse Part One"|last=de Causans|first=Delphine|date=2016-06-01|website=Whitewall|access-date=2018-10-03}}{{Cite web|url=http://bullettmedia.com/article/paz-de-la-huerta-opens-exclusive-clip-jennifer-elster-artist-whos-finally-emerging-underground/|title=Paz de la Huerta Opens Up in this Clip by Jennifer Elster, An Artist Finally Emerging From The Underground|last=Shiffman|first=Allyson|date=2016-05-12|website=Bullett Media|access-date=2018-10-18}} The Retrospective of an Extroverted Recluse was the first public showing of her work, which was hailed by Michael Tommaseillo of The Huffington Post as "simply magnificent. It dealt with some of my favorite sad topics such as love, love lost, longing, and conflict."{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-tommasiello/new-york-week-summed-up-in-a-new-york-minute_b_10148430.html|title=New York Week Summed Up in a New York Minute|last=Tommasiello|first=Michael|date=2017-05-27|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=2018-10-18}} The pop-up show featured a multi-disciplinary installation of photography, painting, video, and performances by Jennifer Elster with such musicians as, Trevor Gureckis, Mariko Anruku and Sugar Vendil.{{Cite news|url=https://news.artnet.com/market/editors-picks-art-events-may-9-2016-492293|title=Editors' Picks: 8 Art Events to See in New York This Week|date=2016-05-09|work=artnet News|access-date=2018-10-18}}
In May 2017, Jennifer Elster performed Amid the Beauty and Cemetery: Is Death? at the New Museum.{{Cite news|url=http://fashionmaniac.com/artist-filmmaker-jennifer-elster-new-museum/|title=Artist & Filmmaker Jennifer Elster At The New Museum -|last=King|first=Fattie|date=2017-05-13|work=Fashion Maniac|access-date=2018-04-14|language=en-US}} She also screened her video art titled, Unknown. Elster also performed in shows at West Park, Salon STUX, Catinca Tabacaru Gallery, and The Development Underground.{{Cite web|url=http://www.artnews.com/2017/09/29/trans-ville-at-catinca-tabacaru-gallery-new-york/|title='TRANS-Ville' at Catinca Tabacaru Gallery, New York|date=2017-09-29|website=ARTnews|language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-14}}
In 2018, Elster did a solo art exhibition titled "The Wake The F*ck Up Show", featuring a variety of conceptual work, photography, video, performance, paintings and words, that put forth a dialogue for our times in a multimedia exhibition that cut through to the artery to move the American conversation further along.{{Cite web|url=https://www.signsandsymbols.art/the-wake-the-fck-up-show|title = Jennifer Elster - the Wake the F*ck up Show}}
Elster's political activism can be seen in her protests as well as visual and performative artwork advocating for civil rights and social justice.{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/net-neutrality-supporters-at-nyc-verizon-store-we-cannot-let-them-have-the-net_us_5a2aa082e4b069ec48acaf4d|title=Net Neutrality Supporters At NYC Verizon Store: 'We Cannot Let Them Have The Net'|last=Amatulli|first=Jenna|date=2017-12-08|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=2018-10-18}} Additionally she has fought for net neutrality in a written campaign by Elster and Gloria Steinem{{Cite web|url=https://artzealous.com/events/jennifer-elster-the-wake-the-fck-up-show/|title = Jennifer Elster | the Wake the F*ck up Show - Art Zealous}} At a street protest, she stated that she "became incredibly concerned about the way that repealing net neutrality was going to affect the future of our internet freedom...[and that] she had to respond."
Filmography
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" width="33"|Year ! rowspan="2" width="200"|Film ! colspan="5"|Credited as !Notes |
| width=65 |Director
! width=65 |Screen Writer ! width=65 |Producer ! width=65 |Actor ! Role ! |
|---|
| align="center"|2001
| Dirty | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | align="center"|— | |
| align="center"|2001
| Ill Will | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | align="center"|— | |
| align="center"|2003
| Particles of Truth{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/17/movies/a-dark-cloud-hangs-over-a-painters-big-day.html|title=A Dark Cloud Hangs Over a Painter's Big Day|last=Martel|first=Ned|date=2004-09-17|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-04-14|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | Lilli Black | |
| align="center"|2005
| Life on the Ledge | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | align="center"|— | |
| align="center"|2006-2020
| In the Woods (The Being Experience) | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | align="center"|— |Designed as a multi-part series. Featuring Dave Matthews, Terrence Howard, Moby, Temple Grandin, Famke Janssen.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/being-experience-puts-terrence-howard-573420|title='The Being Experience' Puts Terrence Howard in the Woods (Exclusive Video)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-04-16|language=en}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/dave-matthews-terrence-howard-star-in-the-being-experience-20130625|title=Dave Matthews, Terrence Howard Star in 'The Being Experience'|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2018-04-16}} |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.ChannelElster.com Channel Elster]
- [http://www.jelster.nyc J. ELSTER]
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