Double Take: The Art of Elizabeth King

Few artists combine a conscientious, analytical approach to their craft with an open and inviting presentation of their soul in the way that Elizabeth King does. The 2018 documentary “Double Take: The Art of Elizabeth King” entwines the persona, beliefs, and work of this outstanding artist in a profound exploration of humanity and artistry. The acclaimed American artist and writer, renowned for her peculiar, meticulous life-size figurative sculptures and stop-frame films, is the centerpiece of a fascinating and evocative discourse on perception, imagination, and the elusive boundary between the animate and inanimate.

The documentary, directed by Olympia Stone, embarks on an intimate, cryptic journey, unveiling King's contemplative and surgical artistic process. The metaphysical melds with the physical as King's meticulous precision and painstaking attention to minute detail converge with her fascination with automata and the mechanization of humanoid movements. The intense precision and minuteness that King brings to her art is awe-inspiring, something that “Double Take” does a brilliant job of showcasing.

"Double Take: The Art of Elizabeth King" provides us with an inside look into Elizabeth King’s artistic journey, starting from her early days when she was grappling with intricate ideas about body, presence, and identity. The documentary takes us into her studio, presenting an artist whose hands are always at work, rarely still. The film beautifully captures the moment of creation, that spark that ignites when imaginative thought translates into concrete form. Whether it is mapping the human eye, sculpting the version of a hand, or mastering the moving gears that give her figures life-like gestures, King's devotion to mirroring life is mesmerizing.

The movie also delves deep into King's early life and the influences that shaped her into the artist she is. It harnesses visual storytelling and narration to captivate the audience’s attention, while also illuminating King's complicated and ambitious, yet astoundingly modest persona. The narrative of the story is not linear, spanning across different timelines showcasing her rich collection of works. This narrative structure stems from the artist's own perception of time and life, viewing both of these in facets rather than in lines.

Delving into mutual themes of introspection, perception, and the blur between the animate and inanimate, the documentary also presents a meaningful discourse on the very nature and purpose of art. It provides thought-provoking ideas about the intersections between the physical and metaphysical, the tangible and the imagined.

What makes this documentary so engrossing is not just the stunning dissection of King's work and creative process, but also the artist’s humility. Despite her undeniable talent and the groundbreaking nature of her work, King remains grounded and intensely focused on her tireless exploration of the human body and spirit.

Another major component of "Double Take: The Art of Elizabeth King" is the exploration of her fascination with automatons and puppetry. Her works often uniquely intersect with elements from engineering and mechanics. King's artfully joins her reproductions of the human form with intricate mechanical components, adding a startling dimension of movement and interactive malleability.

The documentary, while discerning King's work, also unearths and probes the philosophical quandaries King sets forth through her art. Questions about the human condition, the function of memory and perception, and the blurred lines between humanity and artificiality are subtly woven into not just King's artwork but the fabric of the film itself.

The evident respect the filmmakers have for their subject finds its expression in the painstakingly detailed method they use to relay King’s work to the audience. With the use of impressive cinematography and enlightening interviews with King and the art world experts who admire her, the documentary opens up a magical world that moves at King's precise, unhurried pace.

"Double Take: The Art of Elizabeth King" is an exceptionally crafted documentary that offers a deep and satisfying examination of Elizabeth King and her extraordinary body of work. It’s a film that can be enjoyed by both art enthusiasts and those curious about the human thought process, the nature of perception, the power of memory, and the eternal quest to understand our connection with the physical world. In essence, "Double Take" is a proud celebration of a unique artist, her fascinating world of creations, and the profound thoughts she prompts in all her viewers.