Daniel Askill
Encyclopedia
Daniel Askill is an Australian filmmaker and artist who uses film, photographs, video installation and sculpture in his work. He has directed short films, music videos, commercials and fashion films . He is currently based between Sydney and New York .
in 1977. He intially studied visual communication at the University of Technology Sydney in 1997 before moving to London, studying at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
in 1999.
Working freelance in London, he was involved in design work and film direction . Also during his time in London, he engaged in visual design work for Alexander McQueen
.
In 2001 Askill returned to Sydney and founded multimedia production and design studio Collider with his colleagues Andrew van der Westhuyzen and Sam Zalaiskalns . The studio has since expanded and presently has a large roster of staff and directors.
In addition to his background in film and video, Askill also has a background in music composition and performance . He also recorded an album with shakuhachi
player Riley Lee
when he was 19. With Collider, Askill directed short films, fashion films and commercials for companies including Sony, Dior Homme and Xbox.
, surreal short film We Have Decided Not To Die. Exhibited in various international film festivals, the film won prizes at the Clermont-Ferrand
festival in France, Melbourne International in Australia, Brookyln International and South by Southwest
in the United States . The work is notable for its portrayal of the human body, ritual and use of visceral special effects. It was described by film critic Susan Shineberg in the Sydney Morning Herald as "a breathtaking, burnished triptych, it evokes a surreal, ritualistic world whose characters appear to float free of space and time" .
,
These New Puritans
and Phoenix
. He directed Phoenix's Rally
(2007) and Consolation Prizes
(2006)
Askill was also commissioned to make films for fashion companies like Ksubi , Another Magazine
, Dior
and Acne .
In 2009, Askill collaborated with the Sydney Dance Company
in its creative work We Unfold. Askill was commissioned to provide video art to screen alongside the work which was exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 2010 .
Askill's most recent, solo exhibitions Modern Worship (2011) and Three Rituals (2011) have been exhibited in Los Angeles
and Sydney. The works are described as "a meditation on the notion of ritual and how it can be viewed through the eyes of modern culture" and use video installation, photography and sculpture .
Early Life and Work
Askill was born in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
in 1977. He intially studied visual communication at the University of Technology Sydney in 1997 before moving to London, studying at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London. The school has an outstanding international reputation, and is considered one of the world's leading art and design institutions...
in 1999.
Working freelance in London, he was involved in design work and film direction . Also during his time in London, he engaged in visual design work for Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen
Lee Alexander McQueen, CBE was a British fashion designer and couturier best known for his in-depth knowledge of bespoke British tailoring, his tendency to juxtapose strength with fragility in his collections, as well as the emotional power and raw energy of his provocative fashion shows...
.
In 2001 Askill returned to Sydney and founded multimedia production and design studio Collider with his colleagues Andrew van der Westhuyzen and Sam Zalaiskalns . The studio has since expanded and presently has a large roster of staff and directors.
In addition to his background in film and video, Askill also has a background in music composition and performance . He also recorded an album with shakuhachi
Shakuhachi
The is a Japanese end-blown flute. It is traditionally made of bamboo, but versions now exist in ABS and hardwoods. It was used by the monks of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism in the practice of...
player Riley Lee
Riley Lee
Riley Kelly Lee is an American-born Australian-based shakuhachi player and teacher. In 1980 he became the first non-Japanese person to attain the rank of Dai Shihan in the shakuhachi tradition. He is a recipient of two of the most revered lineages of shakuhachi playing, descending from the...
when he was 19. With Collider, Askill directed short films, fashion films and commercials for companies including Sony, Dior Homme and Xbox.
We Have Decided Not To Die
In 2003, Askill wrote and directed the critically acclaimed, surreal short film We Have Decided Not To Die. Exhibited in various international film festivals, the film won prizes at the Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand is a city and commune of France, in the Auvergne region, with a population of 140,700 . Its metropolitan area had 409,558 inhabitants at the 1999 census. It is the prefecture of the Puy-de-Dôme department...
festival in France, Melbourne International in Australia, Brookyln International and South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
in the United States . The work is notable for its portrayal of the human body, ritual and use of visceral special effects. It was described by film critic Susan Shineberg in the Sydney Morning Herald as "a breathtaking, burnished triptych, it evokes a surreal, ritualistic world whose characters appear to float free of space and time" .
Notable Works
Along with his video art he has also directed numerous music videos for artists such as SiaSia
-People:*Sia Berkeley , British actress*Sia Figiel , Samoan novelist, poet and painter*Sia Furler , Australian singer...
,
These New Puritans
These New Puritans
These New Puritans are a British Art Rock band from the Southend-on-Sea area. The group consists of Jack Barnett , his twin brother George Barnett , Thomas Hein , and Sophie Sleigh-Johnson...
and Phoenix
Phoenix (band)
Phoenix is a Grammy Award winning French indie rock band from Versailles, founded by Thomas Mars, Deck d'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz.-Formation and early years:...
. He directed Phoenix's Rally
Rally
Rally refers to a gathering, as in:* Political rally, a demonstration, march, or parade* Pep rally, an event held at a United States school or college sporting eventRally as a sports term can also refer to:* Rallying, a category of motorsport...
(2007) and Consolation Prizes
Consolation Prizes
"Consolation Prizes" is a song by French rock band Phoenix and is featured on their third studio album, It's Never Been Like That. It was released 11 September 2006 as the second single from that album ....
(2006)
Askill was also commissioned to make films for fashion companies like Ksubi , Another Magazine
Another Magazine
Another Magazine is a bi-annual culture and fashion magazine for men and women. It was launched in 2001 under the umbrella publishing company Dazed Group....
, Dior
Dior
Dior can mean:* Christian Dior SA, a French clothing retailer* In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional Middle-earth legendarium:**Dior Eluchíl, a Half-elven of the First Age**Dior , a Steward of GondorDior is a surname, and may refer to:...
and Acne .
In 2009, Askill collaborated with the Sydney Dance Company
Sydney Dance Company
The Sydney Dance Company is one of Australia's most successful and well-known contemporary dance companies. The company was founded in 1969 as the dance-in-education group Ballet in a Nutshell by Suzanne Musitz , later changing its name to Athletes and Dancers, and Dance Company ...
in its creative work We Unfold. Askill was commissioned to provide video art to screen alongside the work which was exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 2010 .
Askill's most recent, solo exhibitions Modern Worship (2011) and Three Rituals (2011) have been exhibited in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Sydney. The works are described as "a meditation on the notion of ritual and how it can be viewed through the eyes of modern culture" and use video installation, photography and sculpture .
Artistic Works
- Modern Worship (2011)
- Slow Work on a Bright Screen (2010)
- Triptych and Transforming (2010)
- Artefacts from The Fifth Ritual (2009)
- We Unfold (2009)
- Suspending Disbelief (2008)
- Angel (2007)
Music Videos
- Wim - See You Hurry
- These New PuritansThese New PuritansThese New Puritans are a British Art Rock band from the Southend-on-Sea area. The group consists of Jack Barnett , his twin brother George Barnett , Thomas Hein , and Sophie Sleigh-Johnson...
- We Want War (2009) - DigitalismDigitalismDigitalism may refer to:*Digital philosophy, a direction in philosophy and cosmology advocated by certain mathematicians and theoretical physicists.*Digitalism , a German electronic music group....
- Pogo (2007) - PhoenixPhoenix (band)Phoenix is a Grammy Award winning French indie rock band from Versailles, founded by Thomas Mars, Deck d'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz.-Formation and early years:...
- Rally (2007) - PlaceboPlaceboA placebo is a simulated or otherwise medically ineffectual treatment for a disease or other medical condition intended to deceive the recipient...
- Follow the Cops (2006) - Phoenix - Consolation Prizes (2006)
- UnkleUNKLEUnkle are a British musical outfit founded in 1994 by school friends James Lavelle and Tim Goldsworthy. Originally categorized as trip-hop, the group once included producer DJ Shadow and have employed a variety of guest artists and producers.-First incarnation :Lavelle and Goldsworthy were joined...
feat. Ian Brown - Reign (2005) - SiaSia-People:*Sia Berkeley , British actress*Sia Figiel , Samoan novelist, poet and painter*Sia Furler , Australian singer...
- Breathe MeBreathe Me"Breathe Me" is a 2004 single by Australian singer Sia Furler featured on the album Colour the Small One.-Tracklistings:*Maxi CD Pt.1#"Breathe Me" - 4:32#"Sea Shells" - 4:52*Maxi CD Pt.2#"Breathe Me" - 4:34...
(2004)
Commercials
Askill has also directed a number of commercials for companies including, Sony, BMW, Dior Homme and Xbox.- SonySony, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
- New York City Ballet - SmirnoffSmirnoffSmirnoff is a brand of vodka owned and produced by the British company Diageo. The Smirnoff brand began with a vodka distillery founded in Moscow by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov , the son of illiterate Russian peasants. It is now distributed in 130 countries.Smirnoff products include vodka, flavored...
- Purity - BMWBMWBayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
- Climate Control - History Channel - Hero
- XBOXXboxThe Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
- Faces - Dior Homme - Jude LawJude LawDavid Jude Heyworth Law , known professionally as Jude Law, is an English actor, film producer and director.He began acting with the National Youth Music Theatre in 1987, and had his first television role in 1989...
- CadillacCadillacCadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
- Roll - Airfrance - Swimming Pool
- LexusLexusis the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
- Merge - HummerHummerHummer was a brand of trucks and SUVs, first marketed in 1992 when AM General began selling a civilian version of the M998 Humvee. In 1998, General Motors purchased the brand name and marketed three vehicles: the original Hummer H1, based on the Humvee; and the H2 and H3 models that were...
- Chairs - PanasonicPanasonicPanasonic is an international brand name for Japanese electric products manufacturer Panasonic Corporation, which was formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd...
- Olympic Art
Selected Exhibitions and Screenings
- Prism, Los Angeles- Three Rituals - 2011
- Gallery A.S, Sydney - Modern Worship - 2011
- Nam June Paik Art Center, Seoul, Korea- Souvenirs from Earth - 2011
- Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy - We Unfold - 2010
- World Expo, Shanghai, China - We Unfold - 2010
- ASVOFFASVOFFA Shaded View on Fashion Film is a blog about fashion].Created by journalist Diane Pernet and launched in September 2008 as a three day event at the national museum of Paris, Jeu de Paume, ASVOFF which took the form of a full festival showcasing feature films, documentaries, conferences,...
Centre Pompidou, Paris, France- Nocturna - 2010 - RAFW, Sydney- Suspending Disbelief - 2009
- Monster Children Gallery, Sydney- Artefacts From The Fifth Ritual - 2009
- Palais de Tokyo, Paris - France Artcurial for Amnesty International - 2008
- Werkleitz Biennale, Halle, Germany - Happy Believer - 2006 (group)
- Institute of Contemporary Art , London, UK - onedotzero- 2004
- ARTSPACE, Sydney, Australia - We Have Decided Not To Die- 2003