what we like#2: the effects of adding another zero
'Powers of Ten' by Charles and Rae Eames (commissioned by IBM) in 1977. Maybe the greatest film of all time? "The ultimate Eamesian expression of systems and connections".
We've all seen this film at some point (or think we have). A design classic, exploring scale, perspective and notions of viewpoint. It's about how we look at the world (and the things on it).
This version's from you tube. You can also view it online at the Eames office website (you need to register though) here. It's certainly worth browsing the site: look through the galleries, look at the range of work undertaken by the Eames'.
posted by pwilson at 1:40 PM
3 Comments:
It's an interesting piece of work. Mainly because it's chiefly informative, but has these other elements too that lend it a vintage feel. The copy is really well written because it's informative without waffling. Everything's very easy to understand and openly presented. I like the little detail the narrator drops in; "Long parades of clouds, the day's weather in the mid-west".
It's very retro, but enduringly relevant. Kinda reminds me of those ancient science videos I got shown at school.
the thing is i think it was one of those ancient science videos. everyone seems to recognise it. did we *all* see it? or maybe it's part of a dna-encoded memory...
also, i think it's still got a freshness for something that's 30 years old. that's why i'm not so sure it's entirely retro (once you get past the trappings, the surface). like you said: just clear, concise communication.
Post a Comment
<< Home