Skip to main content

Open

By  Riccardo Iacono 1994 - 2003
An abstract film of vertical horror, absence and descent (After Marcel Duchamp's painting, 'Nude Descending a Staircase', 1912) composed in-camera by optically manipulating an individual frame of hand-painted film, complimented by a rather ghoulish electronic music track by David McKenzie. The film frame was painted in a single stroke to imitate the blurring of images produced by the opening and closing of the eyelid; and by film slippage (a common fault, where damaged film runs through the camera or projector gate without stopping). Subtle movements of reflected light on the film surface and parallax camera motion animate the painting; which, in tandem with the music, creates a sense of apprehension, suspense and nausea. You can almost hear the stairs creek as the wind combs her hair and she steps and steps.
060306ab Riccardo Iacono

Uncut Lawns

From Memory

Letters

Join Axis

We support artists

Funding, visibility, connection and practical help. 

Membership includes £15 million of Public Liability Insurance!

Axis is an independent charity, funded by our members. 
Become a Member

OPEN: £50,000 directly to artists.

Axis Artist Awards 2026

The Axis Artist Awards support artists to develop their practice, test ideas, make work and keep going. 

Learn more