''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'', while the missing ''Numbers 8'' and ''9'' are presumed to have been lost.
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.
Of the missing chapters, ''Number 6'' was made up of three-dimensional
optically printed abstractions; ''Number 8'' was a black and white
collage
Collage (, from the french: coller, "to glue" or "to stick together";) is a technique of art creation, primarily used in the visual arts, but in music too, by which art results from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole. ...
of clippings taken from nineteenth century ladies wear catalogues and
elocution
Elocution is the study of formal speaking in pronunciation, grammar, style, and tone as well as the idea and practice of effective speech and its forms. It stems from the idea that while communication is symbolic, sounds are final and compelli ...
books, and ''Number 9'' was a color collage of
biology books and nineteenth century temperance movement posters. 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.
Initially recorded with no sound, a
medley
Medley or Medleys may refer to:
Sports
*Medley swimming, races requiring multiple swimming styles
* Medley relay races at track meets
Music
*Medley (music), multiple pieces strung together
People
*Medley (surname), list of people with this nam ...
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.
In 2006, ''Early Abstractions'' was selected to the
National Film Registry by the
Librarian of Congress
The Librarian of Congress is the head of the Library of Congress, appointed by the president of the United States with the advice and consent of the United States Senate, for a term of ten years. In addition to overseeing the library, the Libra ...
for its "cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance".
The
Academy Film Archive preserved films 1, 2, and 3 of ''Abstractions''.
Notes
References
*
External links
*
Early Abstractions, parts 1, 2, 3Early Abstractions, parts 3, 4Early Abstractions, parts 5, 7Early Abstractions, part 10Review 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 , pages 521-52
American animated short films
Collage film
United States National Film Registry films
Compilation films
Films directed by Harry Everett Smith
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