Still from A Different Kind of Different ‘I just kind of pushed it to the back of my mind’
Courtesy of the artist and Matt’s Gallery, London
A Different Kind of Different, an animated short film by Jordan Baseman, charts the psychological impact of breast cancer. Reflecting on the initial ordeal of loss, the film reveals a journey to acceptance via the liberation of – “holy fucking crap!” – mastectomy tattoos.
The 13-minute film launches in early 2021 with three free online events, each lasting 90 minutes, at 7pm on 14, 21 and 28 January. Booking is essential via kindofdifferent.org. Funded by a Wellcome Public Engagement Grant, A Different Kind of Different will tour UK venues later in the year.
Still from A Different Kind of Different
‘I couldn’t face any more invasive surgery, so I decided to go flat…..Holy Mother of God, this is a declaration of intent’ Courtesy of the artist and Matt’s Gallery, London
Featuring a cast of hand-drawn characters, the film’s narrative follows protagonist, Alicia (voiced by an actor). Her story is based on interviews with people who have chosen to wear mastectomy tattoos, and on conversations with scientists and academics. With both candour and humour, Alicia reflects on life after breast cancer; from the hatred, she feels towards her body, to her declaration that her post-chemo hair means she resembles Justin Timberlake (“are you fucking kidding me?”). She recounts the jolt of medical menopause, her rejection of breast reconstruction, followed by her encounter with mastectomy tattoos, and finally the realisation of her own joyful inking. Exploring trauma, consent, agency, and ownership of bodies, the online events invite artists, writers, scientists and breast cancer specialists to respond to aspects of the film that relate to their own practice or fields of interest.
Still from A Different Kind of Different ‘I want birds….and ribbons….and a sun’
Courtesy of the artist and Matt’s Gallery, London
A Different Kind of Different is written by artist Jordan Baseman with writer Sally O’Reilly. Dr Becky Coles-Gale, a Clinical Health Psychologist who works across Major Trauma and Critical Care Services for the NHS in East Sussex, played a significant role in the development of the script. Other contributors include tattooist Mary Jane Haake; Professor Margot Mifflin, City University of New York; Dr John Troyer, University of Bath; and Dr Gemma Angel, University of Leicester.
Still from A Different Kind of Different ‘My mum and I went through menopause together….we were like a fucked-up scary double act’ Courtesy of the artist and Matt’s Gallery, London
The film was co-produced by Matt’s Gallery, London and Nerve Centre,
Derry with executive production by Jacqui Davies. The original score
is by award-winning sound artist and composer, DIE HEXEN.
A Different Kind of Different A film by Jordan Baseman Premieres in 2021 with 3 online film screenings with talks 14, 21 & 28 January 2021
Free registration at kindofdifferent.org @kindofdifferentfilm
About the Artist
Jordan Baseman (b. USA, 1960) is a visual artist and filmmaker who lives and works in London. He received a BFA from Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and an MA from Goldsmiths, University of London. Baseman is currently the Reader in Time Based Media, Senior Tutor and Pathway Leader in Moving Image at the Royal College of Art, London. He has a long history of creating projects in collaboration with UK-based and international, not-for- profit and public institutions, making installations, audio works and single- screen films. Jordan Baseman’s films are frequently featured in international exhibitions and film festivals. Jordan Baseman is represented by Matt’s Gallery London. www.jordanbaseman.co.uk
