PERMUTATIONS

by John WHITNEY
1968 / 16mm / color / sound / 1 screen / 8' 00




The permutations of dancing dot patterns and geometric shapes, which the computer-generated film performs to the playful rhythm of Balachander's tabla playing, test the boundary between order and chaos. The polyphonic visual composition unfolds along an axis of contrapuntal principles, but placing structure against structure instead of note against note.

“My computer is like a piano. I could continue to use it creatively all my life.”

Source: Gene Youngblood: Expanded Cinema, New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., 1970, s. 207.

1 PRINT IN DISTRIBUTION


distribution format 16mm
version restored version
notes Restored by Mark Toscano (Academy Film Archive)
screen 1,37 (single screen)
speed 24 fps
sound optical sound
rental fee 35,00 €