Poême électronique
A synesthetic arousal of images in motion, sounds and lights. I can only imagine how impressive Poême électronique was when presented live in the form of performance at the 1958 Brussels Worlds Fair. 425 speakers were placed all throughout the space created by LeCorbusier and Iannis Xenaki, with the purpose of having Edgard Varêse's sound appear to move in space, all around the audience. A sort of precursor of surround sound.
In LeCorbusier's own words: "I will not make a pavilion for you but an Electronic Poem and a vessel containing the poem; light, color image, rhythm and sound joined together in an organic synthesis". Documentation and images here.
Hiraki Sawa
Working mainly in his apartment, the japanese artist Hiraki Sawa creates magical and surprising atmospheres by transforming his rooms in dreamscapes filled with unusual activities and populated by animated objects, as for example in 'Dwelling' where small airplanes float around his apartment, as if it was an airport, in an absorbing and contemplative way. Observing his videos is like being suspended in a surreal world and condensed in time and space.
Expanded cinema
It is the title of a book written in 1970 by Gene Youngblood and it is considered to be one of the first books to describe video as an art form, as well as pointing out the importance of new technologies as essential extensions of the cinematic language. The book can be downloaded for free in pdf format at the Vasulka website.
3 animation films
'KISS KISS KISS' (1964), 'Kachi Kachi Yama' (1965), 'Tokuten Eizou Anthology NO.1' (1964) are 3 animation films by the japanese artist, graphic designer and painter Tadanori Yokoo, whose works are extremely intense and original. Watch them at UbuWeb.