The pioneering American experimental filmmaker and musician Tony Conrad (1940–) headlines Avanto 2006. In the late 60s and early 70s Conrad made short films that are considered classic works of abstract film art. The Flicker (1966), a hypnotic masterpiece of structuralist cinema, consists of nothing but black and white film frames, while his “subjective colour film” Straight & Narrow (1970) is composed of only vertical and horizontal geometrical lines. The feature film Coming Attractions (1970), jointly directed by Conrad with his wife Beverly, takes place in a world of transvestites and transsexuals ­– “underground superstars”. Before starting to make his own films, Conrad collaborated with various filmmakers as a musician. He was in charge of the soundtrack to Flaming Creatures (1964, dir. Jack Smith), one of the most legendary underground films ever made. Conrad is still actively working with moving images, now using digital video. Tony Conrad is also in charge of Avanto's opening concert.

Tony Conrad 1
Straight and Narrow (Beverly & Tony Conrad, 1970, 10’)
The Flicker (Tony Conrad, 1966, 30’)
Flaming Creatures (Jack Smith, 1964, 43’) sound design: Tony Conrad.

Orion on Saturday, 18 November at 5 pm, presented by Tony Conrad.
second screening on Sunday, 19 November at 6 pm, presented by Tony Conrad.

Tony Conrad 2
Mary Jordan: Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis (2006, USA, 95 min)

Orion on Saturday, 18 November at 7 pm, presented by Tony Conrad.
Orion on Sunday, 19 November at 8 pm, second screening, presented by Tony Conrad.

Tony Conrad 3
Accordion (1981, 7’)
Beholden to Victory (excerpt, 1983, 11’)
In Line (1986, 7’)
Redressing Down (1988, 18’)
No Europe (1990, 10’)
Long Shot/run/dead (excerpt, 1986, 11’)
Hart (2001, 5’)
Conversation II (2005, 5’)

Kiasma Theatre on Saturday, 18 November at 3 pm, presented by Tony Conrad.

Tony Conrad: Beholden to Victory (1983)