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Spheres

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1969 7 min
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This animated short by Norman McLaren and René Jodoin is a play on motion set against a background of multi-hued sky. Spheres of translucent pearl float weightlessly in the unlimited panorama of the sky, grouping, regrouping or colliding like the stylized burst of some atomic chain reaction. The dance is set to the musical cadences of Bach, played by pianist Glenn Gould.

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Spheres

Details

This animated short by Norman McLaren and René Jodoin is a play on motion set against a background of multi-hued sky. Spheres of translucent pearl float weightlessly in the unlimited panorama of the sky, grouping, regrouping or colliding like the stylized burst of some atomic chain reaction. The dance is set to the musical cadences of Bach, played by pianist Glenn Gould.

Sciences All subjects
Keep It Weird All channels
  • director
    Norman McLaren
    René Jodoin
  • producer
    Norman McLaren
    René Jodoin
  • animation
    Norman McLaren
    René Jodoin
  • music
    Glenn Gould

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Education

Ages 11 to 17
School subjects
Arts Education - Visual Arts History and Citizenship Education - Culture and Currents of Thought (1500-present) Media Education - Film Animation
Ask media and film students to discuss: the effect of classical music as inspiration and key element; the use of flowing spheres; the animation technique; and the effect of the butterfly. Before viewing, have music and art students listen only; after viewing, discuss how music might be visual, and draw or sculpt in response to music. Mathematics students can explore the presence of geometry and algebra in the visual images.
Spheres
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