Category: Experimental

November 18, 2023 / Experimental

The son of computer graphics pioneer John Whitney, Sr., Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps and worked as animator for Hollywood films like Westworld and The Last Starfighter. He also made this experimental short in 1972, with abstract and swirling color patterns familiar from the visual music tradition of animation. These patterns gradually reveal themselves as a human face, derived from long exposure photography of a nude model.

November 18, 2023 / Experimental

This promotional film for the 1925 “Cinema and photo exhibition Berlin” presents a fireworks display of film and photo techniques, filmic apparatuses and quotations. Once again Guido Seeber displayed his expert use of camera and montage.

November 18, 2023 / Experimental

The human eye, a well-known motif of psychedelic culture, is multiplied and intensified in Tanaami Keiichi’s cinematic trip 4 Eyes. Drawing from his experiences designing discotheques, Tanaami presents two prints of the same film in double-projection with a time delay to suggest the mind slipping out of consciousness.

October 13, 2023 / Experimental

Inspired by Islamic architecture, the abstract linear forms in this experimental computer-animation film were colored and edited using an optical printer. The shapes bloom and flow in time with music by Manoochehr Sadeghi.

October 13, 2023 / Experimental

1941 was Francis Lee’s first film; CH’AN his last. In between, he became an expert Sumi-e watercolorist and here he combines eloquent ink paintings with masterful animation methods. This film moves through mysterious shapes, takes the viewer on an explosive meditative journey across the imaginary landscapes of his creations. 

October 12, 2023 / Experimental

Presaging details and intent of the Charles Manson’s cult and actions was not meant to be one of this film’s greater attributes. It was, however, filmed uncannily months before the facts were known. The resemblance is oblique. The film: the mysticism of a “calling,” a journey to be made, a vision in mid-desert to behold and oneness with it all. Filmed in Death Valley.

October 5, 2023 / Experimental

Without dialogue, but with a lot of music, the film tells the story of four young women who escape from their indifferent parents, lewd teachers, sinister policemen and numerous criminals to form a commune based on the principle: “solidarity between women is powerful” in an abandoned house.

October 5, 2023 / Experimental

Black and white shots of a carnival segue into a psychedelic reverie as a pair of disembodied hands prepare and consume a fresh persimmon. Soundtracked by T. Rex, and featuring repurposed footage from Dumbo, Last of the Persimmons is a layered and playful homage to the simple pleasures in life.