Copper Strip Alone 1984
Copper Strip Alone (1984) is a mesmerizing 3-minute experimental short film by Richard Lerman that transforms ordinary materials into a fleeting, poetic spectacle.
Director: Richard Lerman
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Copper Strip Alone (1984) about?
This short film captures a strip of copper alarm tape suspended between pitchforks at dusk, set ablaze with a propane torch. The brief but intense combustion becomes a meditation on transformation, decay, and the unexpected beauty found in industrial materials.
Who directed Copper Strip Alone?
The film was directed by Richard Lerman, a pioneering figure in experimental filmmaking known for his innovative use of unconventional materials and processes.
Who stars in Copper Strip Alone?
Joshua and Jesse Lerman are credited as the performers, applying the propane torch to the copper strip in this minimalist yet striking piece.
Is Copper Strip Alone (1984) worth watching?
As a 3-minute experimental film, Copper Strip Alone offers a unique cinematic experience centered on texture and transience. While it's not a mainstream narrative, its visual poetry and technical precision make it compelling for fans of avant-garde cinema and short-form art-house works.
How long is Copper Strip Alone?
The film runs for 3 minutes.
About Copper Strip Alone (1984) — A 3-Minute Experimental Fire and Metal Masterpiece
Copper Strip Alone (1984) is a mesmerizing 3-minute experimental short film by Richard Lerman that transforms ordinary materials into a fleeting, poetic spectacle. A 14-meter strip of copper burglar-alarm tape stretches taut between two pitchforks, its metallic surface catching the last light of dusk before flames from a propane torch ignite the adhesive. The resulting visuals are both fragile and dramatic, a fleeting moment of combustion frozen in time by the camera. The film's minimalist approach strips art down to its essence—light, motion, and the interplay of fire against metal.
Lerman's conceptual vision turns an overlooked object into a canvas for meditations on impermanence and the beauty of decay. Shot in near-silence, the work invites viewers to slow down and reflect on the textures of everyday life transformed by heat and intention. Though brief, Copper Strip Alone lingers as an arresting example of experimental cinema, where even the simplest materials can ignite the imagination.