Besides being one of Canada's most celebrated visual artists, Michael Snow is one of the premier experimental filmmakers of his time. Working within the realm of the "avant-garde", his cinematic work has influenced filmmakers as diverse as Wim Wenders, Derek Jarman, Peter Greenaway, Atom Egoyan and Martin Scorcese. Snow's "Wavelength" is one of the seminal works of cinema's avant-garde.

Presence and Absence is certain to become the standard work on the films of Michael Snow. With contributions by film scholars, artists and curators, this generously illustrated volume is the most comprehensive study of Snow's films to date, and includes enlightening essays, anecdotal pieces, an annotated bibliography and filmography.

Michael Snow was born in Toronto in 1929. His works are included in the collections of the National Gallery of Canada; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; and the Musée d’art moderne, Paris. His films have been shown at the Toronto, Berlin, Pesaro and Cannes festivals. As a musician he has played many concerts and festivals (e.g., Musica Nova, Hamburg, New Music America, the Olympic Arts Festival, Du Maurier Jazz Festival, etc.) and has produced recordings as well as the sound tracks for his films and gallery sound installations. He has received several awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the Order of Canada.

Michael Snow's profile page

"A new film by Michael Snow is always an event." --The Village Voice
"Michael Snow's 'Wavelength' is a masterwork." --Artforum