Chantal Akerman Discusses Her Installation 'Maniac Shadows' and Cross-Disciplinary Practice

In an interview with curator Alaina Claire Feldman, Chantal Akerman discusses her five-channel video installation 'Maniac Shadows' (2013), which was on view at The Kitchen in New York. The work features candid video fragments showing the artist in various settings, including her New York apartment, a street party, and her mother's Brussels apartment. Akerman explains that the installation was made during a 'maniac phase' and that the title references the shadows in the work. She discusses her approach to installation art, which she began by chance in the 1990s when Kathy Halbreich invited her to create a piece at the Walker Art Center. Akerman emphasizes that she does not shift between media but works across film, writing, and installation as she pleases. She notes that installations allow her to play with physical space and time differently than film. The interview also touches on the influence of feminist filmmaker Delphine Seyrig and the militant group Les Insomuses. Akerman states that audience does not concern her, and she prefers working alone or with just her editor. The installation 'Maniac Shadows' was shot in multiple locations including Brussels, Oklahoma, Cape Cod, New York, and Boston.