Early Abstractions
Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Infobox film/short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "[".
Early Abstractions is a collection of seven short animated films created by Harry Everett Smith between 1939 and 1956. Each film is between two and six minutes long, and is named according to the chronological order in which it was made. The collection includes Numbers 1–5, 7, and 10,[1] while the missing Numbers 8 and 9 are presumed to have been lost.[2]
Inspiration
The idea of the numbering was to suggest a coherent link between each individual film, and that they were to be treated not just on their own but as part of a larger body of work.[3]
Techniques
Of the missing chapters, Number 6 was made up of three-dimensional optically printed abstractions; Number 8 was a black and white collage of clippings taken from nineteenth century ladies wear catalogues and elocution books, and Number 9 was a color collage of biology books and nineteenth century temperance movement posters.[4] The remaining films show a gradual evolution in Smith's technical complexity, with blunt abstraction rudimentary motion more prominent in the early shorts, in contrast to an allegoric dance of Tarot cards, and Buddhist and Cabalistic symbols.[3]
Soundtrack
Initially recorded with no sound, a medley of music by The Beatles was added retrospectively. Because the songs do not exactly sync up with each individual film, some critics have opined that this does not enhance the film, and recommend watching it in silence.[3]
Legacy
In 2006, Early Abstractions was selected to the National Film Registry by the Librarian of Congress for its "cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance".[5][6][7] The Academy Film Archive preserved films 1, 2, and 3 of Abstractions.[8]
Notes
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ 100 Greatest Animated Shorts/Film #3: Interwoven / Harry Smith - Skwigly Animation Magazine
- ↑ Sitney, p.233
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Sitney, p.232
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
References
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
External links
- Script error: No such module "If empty". at IMDbTemplate:EditAtWikidataScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:WikidataCheck
- Early Abstractions, parts 1, 2, 3
- Early Abstractions, parts 3, 4
- Early Abstractions, parts 5, 7
- Early Abstractions, part 10
- Review of Early Abstractions
- Early Abstractions essay by Daniel Eagan in America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in the National Film Registry, A&C Black, 2010 Template:ISBN, pages 521-522 [1]