Chris Cunningham, Director

Judging from the Chris Cunningham Interview 2009 for his work for Gucci, you would never connect the work he did for Gucci to his previous works. Chris Cunningham is one of the most celebrated directors who made a controversial debut by directing a music video “Come to Daddy” for the band Aphex Twin. This showed the world the artistic capabilities that Chris Cunningham is known for. This is but a start of many of his artistic works.

In 2003, viewers of Channel 4, British television agreed that this is one of the scariest moments on television ranking at 35th place out of a hundred. You can check the video that haunted British television through this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWDAtMPoBHA. Most of Chris Cunningham’s films are haunting. Without even achieving much tenure in the industry, a compilation of his works was released as part of the Directors Label set. This includes his works from 1995 to 2000.

Despite being such a young director, he was well-regarded for his talent and was recognized even by popular artists like Madonna and Bjork. The music video, ”Frozen”, which features Madonna paying the witch, The Morrigan. The character is a witch Irish Mythology that is also considered as a goddess. The movie was both ethereal and haunting. You can view the video by checking this link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhByOf6dnY.

 “All is Full of Love” by Bjork originally started a concept where two ivory dolls are in a state similar to heaven that fell in love. With their love and their warmed they bind and join together and become one. Chris Cummingha, is fascinated with robotic technology and this fueled the inspiration for the video. The video depicts a robot being assembled, finds a companion in another robot, and finally shared a intimate moment. You can find more details on how the video was created by checking the video interview through this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zgi-sGi_64. The video can be found through this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjI2J2SQ528.

In 1999, an infamous advertisement about Mental Wealth discusses the dangers that technology can cause. A deformed Scottish girl narrates how technology is unnecessary yet laughs at her statement at the end as seen from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkbHsa0qing. The advertisement sparked controversies. The message was even lost in translation when used in other countries.

Chris Cunningham mastered special effects. He works for the special effect team for Aliens 3 and Aliens Resurrection. He is also responsible for the robotics that was used for the movie A.I. in 2001. You would find some of his works to show superb visual effects and artistry.

In 2006, referencing his works in creating thought-provoking music videos, the band called The Horrors asked Chris Cunningham to direct their music video title “Sheena is a Parasite”. The video features a woman who somewhat turn into a creature similar to a banshee with appendages coming out of her stomach. A copy of the video can be found through this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cor3wjbS4Gg. This was banned from UK television not because of the gore but for the use of strobe lights.

Despite the haunting and seemingly grotesque themes, Gucci recognized the artistry of Chris Cunningham and tapped him to direct the commercial advertisement for Gucci’s perfume called Flora. This features a woman moved by a scent of the flower and was caught in a trance until finally she herself bloomed and became a flower. The whole theme was ethereal and remained a bit haunting due to the trance sate the model giving her the ability to move the flowers around her. The advert did show Chris Cunningham’s artistry. You can view the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3KXWUvvjo8. This also features excerpts of Donna Summer’s song, “I Feel Love”.

The works of Chris Cunningham is thought-provoking and inspiring, yet unapologetic. This has been his signature style in most of his works. You would also see his maturity as a director with his new works. His works are inspiring even to artists. You would find Chris Cunningham to continue to direct other videos for Aphex Twin. His works would also include photography creating album covers for Bjork, Aphex Twin, and other artists. His work was features in Dazed and Confused showcasing artistic photos of Grace Jones in 2008. Vice Magazine recognized his talent and showcase some of his works on the magazine on the same year. The Chris Cunningham Interview 2009 that tells about the thought processes that made the Gucci Flora ad possible. You can also find interesting information about him during his interviews for Vice Magazine ranging from his work with The Horrors to his photography.