Sam Messer / MATRIX 178: Denis the Pirate

MATRIX 178 will premier New York artist Sam Messer’s newly-completed animation titled Denis the Pirate. The installation will include several related paintings and sculptures as well as a large selection from the 1,500 etchings and drawings that were filmed to bring the fantastical sea adventure to life. Written by Denis Johnson, a longtime friend of the artist, the epic adventure of the eponymous pirate was shot in stop-motion with works on paper, resulting in an old-fashioned quality punctuated by a naïve hand. Messer’s images incorporate various techniques including strong line drawings, watercolors, and etchings with color. The story is vividly narrated by actor Liev Schreiber accompanied by a memorable soundtrack by musicians Sarah Neufeld and Colin Stetson from Arcade Fire.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.