Janssen Porch/Garden ’79

Elam’s “Janssen Porch/Garden ’79” opens bewilderingly focused on wavering tree branches. Panning away, the camera, from high a vantage, notes the environment, e.g. neighboring buildings and the garden below (this is seemingly the same Logan Square garden that frequents Elam’s work). The camera, focusing on blossoming flowers and vegetables, descends to the garden and proceeds out beyond the garden’s boundary fence. In the alley beyond, the camera notes a passing vehicle before several abrupt cuts. Retreating, the camera re-surveys the garden. The film concludes with several seconds of seemingly the same environment drenched in snow.