Peter Coukis

A self taught video director, editor and composer from Waterbury, Connecticut. He studied music at Western Connecticut State University, from 1972 -1974, and later founded an independent / artist label, Blue Plum Records in 1994, to promote his music and circulate it around the region. Mr. Coukis released several eclectic (light pop, electronic, bizarre) underground Cd's and cassettes throughout the mid- to -late '90s and early 2000s. He was a voting member in The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for several years, and in addition, often appeared on local public access TV during the late 1980s performing his own songs in 30 minute specials, winning one Award in 1988 from Litchfield, CT public access (Laurel Cable Vision), produced by Edward Guinea. Peter Coukis (aka Peters Murphy Coukis) has over 1,000 short films and music videos available for viewing on the Internet. As for work methods and subject matter, he has been working in the appropriated (self modified) stock footage and montage medium for a while, utilizing public domain short film segments and turning them into his own by combining them with original editing techniques, imaginative sequencing of frames, new (usually erotic) story lines and the addition of (often eerie or ambient) original music and creepy found photos, "sort of in the manner of an outside artist", he says, to ultimately create his personal style. Also included in his short films are antique photos from the net (and his personal collection); exploitation and fetish clips from the 1930s to the 60s; and electronically manipulated sounds, bizarre music and light pop. He records his soundtracks on the computer. Most of Coukis' films explore the psychology of sex, and often juxtapose religious imagery (Virgin Mary statues, Vintage church interiors, Communion photos, Victorian cabinet photos, Medieval Religious paintings) with vintage nude photos (always of women) and clips from old peep shows / stag films. Believing that both sensuality and spirituality combined make up our true nature, Peter uses these themes to express a larger view of humanity. And through his prolific output he tries to more effectively express a singular interpretation of female beauty.