Lines of Force
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract:
"Lines of Force" opens with footage of a dramatic explosion. For most of the piece, the screen is divided, into a triptych at first, and slowly into horizontal and vertical bars. Electronically manipulated footage shows a man walking, a marching band, ferns, cartoons, a window, and a train arriving on a set of tracks. The naturally occurring lines in the array of images presented mirror the electronically created bars and lines that divide the screen. Natural scenes provide a respite from the frantic pace of the images. The music score was created by Bob Snyder. The music mirrors the pace of the work. When images are at their most frantic, sounds like free jazz horns blare forth. More lyrical electronic music mirrors the more peaceful arrays of natural images." Lines of Force' was broadcast along with 'Winter Notebook.' Both works were created by video and sound artist Bob Snyder. New Television Workshop appears to have presented but not produced the works. "Artist's Showcase' was a series designed to showcase video art and experimental work from WGBH. The program ran on Sunday evenings at 11 P.M., from the fall of 1976 through 1982. In the early 1970's, 'Artist's Showcase' was the only consistent broadcast outlet for many of the Workshop productions. Most materials of broadcast quality created at WGBH in the mid-1970's were shown as part of this series. Additionally, earlier video art experiments and segments of related shows, such as 'Mixed Bag' or 'What's Happening Mr. Silver' were broadcast under these auspices. This series was also a broadcast outlet for a handful of works by video artists that were not created at WGBH but only acquired for this purpose. Some compilation reels showing highlights of Workshop activity were also broadcast.
- Subject:
- Arts
- Collection:
- WGBH Open Vault