Unseen cinema. 3, Light rhythms. Simple destiny [abstractions] / by Douglass Crockwell.

[United States] : Filmmakers Showcase, 1938.

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LIGHT RHYTHMS is part of the film retrospective UNSEEN CINEMA that explores long-forgotten American experimental cinema. Douglass Crockwell, who earned his living as a noted realist illustrator, was a cinema abstractionist and inventor of animation processes. This footage, a number of silent fragments, includes unreleased experiments in abstract wax cinematography as well as a surreal clay animation made in collaboration with sculptor David Smith, Crockwell's neighbor. --BRUCE POSNER Douglass Crockwell, artist, filmmaker, and inventor, needs introduction in all three fields. His commercial illustrations compare well to those of his near namesake, Norman Rockwell. His films include paintings on glass and sliced wax abstractions. Among Crockwell's inventions are his Pan-Stereo camera and a modified Mutoscope for displaying sequential art. --CECILE STARRDavid Smith was an acclaimed sculptor, draughtsman, and painter. From the early to mid-1930s, Smith made photographs conceived as abstract collages and after 1945 as documents of his own sculptures. His relationship with artists Douglass Crockwell and Leo Lances resulted in his collaboration on film projects during the mid to late 30s. --BRUCE POSNER 16mm on 35mm 1.37:1 color silent 16fps 3:08 minutes. Compiled by Bruce Posner.

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November 02, 2020