Kevin Kelly presents Caute, an evocative new film employing speculative optics to journey the radical life and philosophy of Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677). Through meticulous research and experimental film techniques, Kelly captures the intimacies of Spinoza’s world, formed by his exile by the Amsterdam Sephardic Jewish community at the age of 23 and his life as a lens grinder for microscopes and telescopes — a chosen profession that informed his philosophical ideas.
In Caute, Kelly’s exploration focuses on micro-details from his biography along with the sensorial. Through an interview with the caretaker of his former places of residence and recreating 17th-century optical perspectives by filming scenes Spinoza is known to have looked upon through his singlet lens. He brings viewers into Spinoza’s intellectual landscape and physical surroundings as Spinoza wrestled with radical ideas that linked God and nature, explored the dynamics of emotion, and championed intellectual autonomy in the face of religious dogma and state ideology.
Through poetic visual fragments, the film reflects his pursuit of truth amid religious and social isolation and the tolerant community who supported him. The exhibition title, Caute—Spinoza’s motto meaning “be cautious”—is a tribute to his steadfast quest. Spinoza’s signet ring bore this message, marking letters he sent into the world.
Credits
Caretaker: Marie-Therese Daniels-Dirven
Mother: Maria Camarena
Baby: Sophia Sinaguglia
Camera/Writing/Color Grade: Kevin Kelly
Editor: Karlis Bergs
Composer: Coleman Zurkowski
Sound Design: Andrew Siedenburg
Compositor: Raza Kazmi
Special Thanks: Philipp Farra, Adam Golfer, Mike Crane, Lucy Kerr, Will Wiebe, Che Gossett, Kevin Hernandez Rosa, Greicy Mella, Steven Nadler, Volunteers at Het Spinozahuis, Zeiss Museum of Optics
Made with support from 80WSE Gallery
Organized by Howie Chen
Produced by Jon Huron
Still from Kevin Kelly, Caute, 2025.
