This program explores the American landscape through its multiple meanings and purposes: changed and unchanging, used, misused, archived, created, protected, and enjoyed. The first night begins with James Benning’s 9/1/75, a 22-minute tracking shot that captures a Wisconsin campground on Labor Day. From visiting artist, Brigid McCaffrey, is Castaic Lake, a modern portrait of the state reservoir and recreation area that lies 45 miles north of Los Angeles. Finally, Bowers Cave tells the story of a cave re-discovered in 1888 outside of the town of Castaic, once filled with Chumash indian artifacts, and now part of a landfill. All three of these films illuminate a landscape sculpted by use. The second night is a rare opportunity to see Benning’s 2004 masterpiece 13 Lakes. Composed of 13 ten-minute shots in which sky and lake take equal space, the viewer has time to reflect on both the beauty and the complicated histories of these bodies of water