Reading Response 1 (Second Half)

Scott MacDonald, “Cinema 16: Introduction”

7. What were some general tendencies in the programming at Cinema 16, and how were films arranged within individual programs?
It started out with classics and documentary films from the Museum of modern art while the Vogels were “developing the concept” that would become Cinema 16. Later avant-garde was later introduced to the mix by “Art in Cinema” and was influenced by Maya Derenin 1946 and ‘47.
Vogel wanted learning and understanding to be imparted to the viewer of his shows. While avant-garde did that in a psychological and mental sense he was more swayed to documentaries, but variety was a large part as well. The first show of films included documentaries, Avant-garde, and animations.


8. What kinds of venues rented Kenneth Anger’s Fireworks?

It would have been shown in film societies, other groups, and private screenings because of the censorship boards control over commercial venues and the homosexual content of Fireworks.

9. What impact did Cinema 16 have on New York City film culture?

The shows were viewed by now infamous actors such as Marlon Brando, influential people to the New York film scene, and even Sitney the author of the book we are reading. So the effects of Cinema 16 can be noted down to our individual class room today with the films we see and the books, such as Sitney’s, we read.

Hans Richter, “A History of the Avantgarde”

10. What conditions in Europe made the avant-garde film movement possible after World War I?

Because of the unrest of the people and the inflation of currency the people were looking for something new, new ideas to inspire and change the political and social thoughts of the day. Subsequently then came filmmakers that opposed the commercial films of the day and themselves wanted something new that did not rely as heavily on “the actor, the novel, and the play.”
They subsequently learned the technical aspects of the equipment and medium of film so that they could try and manipulate and distort it in new ways. Eventually a following for these films emerged through the exhibitions of film societies throughout Europe.

11. If the goal of Impressionist art is “Nature Interpreted by Temperament,” what are the goals of abstract art?

“‘Abstract art’ an art which no longer had a natural object”. It wants to break out of the simple understandable and universally recognized to something different and individual in appearance yet, it wanted “to find… the way for the expression of universal feeling. So the object itself is less important than the emotion it evokes.

Will post first half later with response to film.