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Description
This programme shows how scientific achievement and, in particular, the development of photography and film influenced artists during the late nineteenth and early twentieffii centuries. In the nin...eteenth century Eadward Muybridge' s consecutive photographs of animals and humans in motion fascinated artists like Degas and Rodin. There is a clear parallel "between the photograph and the instantaneous poses of paintings and sculptures". Muybridge's investigations were .improved upon "by Dr. Jules Marey, "Who developed a method called chronophotography, or time photography, which not only gave science accurate information about the movements of the body but also provided artists with an Immensely evocative abstract imagery. In the early twentieth century Leger, Delaunay, Boccioni and the other Futurists all showed themselves enthusiastic about science and its liberating potential. Consequently a new imagery emerged with its foundations in scientific theory and even in the visual recording of experimental science. Artists signalled their rapport with contemporary science by concerning themselves with the same questions of time, space and motion, the assertion of the Fourth Dimension. To this end the camera became an invaluable instrument in the development of modern art in the twentieth century. As well as numerous photographs by Marey and Muybridge, the programme contains rarely seen archive film of scientific experiments, time-lapse photography& early x-rays. it also includes an extract from Leger's Ballet Mecanique, with the 1924 recording of George Artheil's music.
This programme shows how scientific achievement and, in particular, the development of photography and film influenced artists during the late nineteenth and early twentieffii centuries. In the nin...eteenth century Eadward Muybridge' s consecutive photographs of animals and humans in motion fascinated artists like Degas and Rodin. There is a clear parallel "between the photograph and the instantaneous poses of paintings and sculptures". Muybridge's investigations were .improved upon "by Dr. Jules Marey, "Who developed a method called chronophotography, or time photography, which not only gave science accurate information about the movements of the body but also provided artists with an Immensely evocative abstract imagery. In the early twentieth century Leger, Delaunay, Boccioni and the other Futurists all showed themselves enthusiastic about science and its liberating potential. Consequently a new imagery emerged with its foundations in scientific theory and even in the visual recording of experimental science. Artists signalled their rapport with contemporary science by concerning themselves with the same questions of time, space and motion, the assertion of the Fourth Dimension. To this end the camera became an invaluable instrument in the development of modern art in the twentieth century. As well as numerous photographs by Marey and Muybridge, the programme contains rarely seen archive film of scientific experiments, time-lapse photography& early x-rays. it also includes an extract from Leger's Ballet Mecanique, with the 1924 recording of George Artheil's music.
| Module code and title: | A351, Modern art from 1848 to the present: styles and social implications |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A351; 06 |
| First transmission date: | 09-06-1976 |
| Published: | 1976 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Mary Hoskins |
| Contributors: | Frank Duncan; Alexander John |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | 19th and 20th centuries; Artists; Chronophotography; Dr. Jules Marey; Edward Muybridge; Film; Fourth Dimension; Futurists; Photography; Scientific achievement |
| Footage description: | (The programme is illustrated with archive film and stills material) A general introduction on the links between art and the dynamism of technological development. Early films are shown of scientific developments around 1900 and the effects of various techniques in photography which threw up new light on problems of time, space and movement Muybridge's work is looked at with examples of his photograph series. Links are shown between his work and Degas' paintings and Rodin's sculpture. Examples of these are shown. The more sophisticated photographic work of Marey is discussed, especially his idea of chronophotography for following body movements. Possible influence on Seurat is examined. The importance of chronophotographic imagery for the Italian Futurists is outlined. Specific examples of paintings by Balla and sculpture by Boccioni are shown, as well as Duchamp's "Nude descending a staircase". Another theoretical problem developed from photography is discussed - simultaneity. The influence of X-ray imagery is mentioned. Boccioni's "The noise of the street enters the house" is examined in this light. The effect of superimposition of transparent forms on Cubist painting is outlined. The use of modern science and technology for providing dynamic realistic images is shown in two film clips. Firstly in Leger's "Ballet mechanique". The final points on the attractiveness of science to artists are made over clips from a Naum Gabo film. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72196 |
| Production number: | 00525_3206 |
| Videofinder number: | 3334 |
| Available to public: | no |
