Tonight, it’s all about women’s hair.

The upcoming film series at Exploded View Cinema features a series of 8mm films shot in New York City by Arthur, a filmmaker obsessed with women’s hair. Throughout the ’50s and ’60s, Arthur used his unique vision to capture women’s hair on film in an artistic way.
Eric Kroll, a Tucson photographer, will present some of Arthur’s work in the film series “Unattainable” tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the microcinema.

“When you see this stuff, it’s extraordinary,” Kroll said. “He loved women. He had a pure interest in women’s hair. You never see men in this footage.”

Many of the films were made in Washington Square Park in New York City, where Arthur, who is now in his eighties, still lives.
Kroll said that he doesn’t believe Arthur took the footage with artistic intentions.

“He wasn’t trying to make art,” Kroll said. “If there’s any artistic imprint, it’s by accident.”

According to David Sherman, one of the founders of Exploded View, the gallery is covering unique terrain.

“[Arthur’s work] is essentially street photography,” Sherman said. “There are all different types of women, all different ages.”
Sherman said that Arthur took great care in annotating and labeling his films.

“He actually had notes and the notes are specifically related to their hair, like ‘Irish blonde,” Sherman said.
Because the films are silent, Thy Odd Birds, a five-piece jazz band, will be playing original music composed specifically to accompany Arthur’s films.

Visitors will also get to see Arthur’s collages made from images of women’s hair cut from newspapers, magazines and comics.
There are also a few photos from Arthur’s collection of “Stan’s Photos.” These photos feature women with hair so long their locks touch the ground.

“The extent of his obsession is extraordinary,” Kroll said, considering the hours of work he put into his collages.
The show will also be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, but without the live music. Admission is $5.