This week my research brought me down a new path of inquiry. It's becoming more and more clear to me that I need to begin to approach this with more intent and clearer goals. Once I learn the software, the next step is applying it to my own creative process, and use it to evoke an emotional response. Experimental film is polarizing, but many non-traditional films have gone on to receive critcal praise and rewards at festivals. So, I began investigating abstract and experimental film from the past, to see how this type of work was done effectively.
Exploring Abstract Film
This is an incredible, very early experimental film. Whats amazing about this particular film is that all of the visuals are created with paper cutouts in stop motion fashion. The film synchronizes its visuals with an orchestral soundtrack, creating a bizarre and dynamic image. This film is really impressive to me considering the technology Lye had at his disposal.
Free Radicals - Len Lye (1958)
Another film by Len Lye. This one was created by scratching patterns into black film, frame by frame. It has a fascinating kinetic energy to it that is complimented by the soundtrack.
This is the first of the experimental films that I saw some meaning and intent in the visuals. From MOMA; "Affected by his experience of fighting in World War I, and in particular by the mustard gas attack that left him hospitalized for a year, Léger became fascinated with mechanical technology, which would feature heavily in his post-1917 art." This peice particularly inspired me with its use of match cuts to convey the juxtaposition between man and machine.
An Optical Poem - Oskar Fischinger (1938)
German-born abstract filmmaker Oskar Fischinger's celebrated 1938 short film 'An Optical Poem' made entirely with paper in stop motion fashion. This is a really impressive film purely for the work that would be required to create it with the technology of the time.Crying (2021)
A short film made by my friend and Interlochen alum Maya Skye. A perfect example of evoking emotion through generally abstract cutting.
BLACK AND WHITE TRYPPS NUMBER THREE
Harry Smith: Early Abstractions 1946-57
Marcel Duchamp's "Anémic cinéma" (1926)
Exploring Multimedia Performance
While not as thoroughly, I also researched live multimedia performances, the end goal for my capstone project. It was benificial to the process, and my next post will go much deeper on this subject.
audiovisual performance at transdisciplina#14 – Klaus Obermaier
"Live electronic with real-time rendering of interactive visuals and sounds / microphone into VCV Rack virtual modular synth and MaxMSPJitter / live camera into MaxMSPJitter for additional textures and interaction / controller: MIRA iPad Pro, Midi Fighter Twister, Sensel Morph. "
Klaus Obermaier essentially does exactly what I plan to do minus the storytelling aspect, as it is purely abstract visuals. He used the same programming language im learning to create these visuals, and he also managed to perform music synthesis simultaneously.
Smomid Live Audio/Video Performance Compilation
Less information is available about this artist, but he created his own instrument designed to be played like a guitar to generate audio and video. The instrument inspired me because it was designed specifically for his purposes.
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