Study No. 8

An experimental short from Oskar Fischinger

Study No. 6

The first Studies were synchronized with records (Fischinger made a total of 13 Studies all without sound). It was only with the introduction of sound, beginning with Study No 6 that the films did full justice to this musical principle. The play of the white lines, the arcs, and the upside-down U’s running hither and thither like ballet dancers was brought into perfect synchronization with the music, and thus the films offered an abstract illustration of the melodies. Study No 6 is certainly the best of his films in terms of forms. - Hans Sc...

Study No. 4

Experimental short film by Oskar Fischinger

Swiss Trip (Rivers and Landscapes)

The black and white, live-action Swiss Trip, scored with Bach's 3rd Brandenburg Concerto (like Motion Painting No. 1), is kind of a nature or travel film cut via noticeable (in-camera?) edits that give the impression the film is constantly blinking and foreshadow techniques Stan Brakhage would use in the '50s and '60s. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2000.

Allegretto

In the 1936 short Allegretto, diamond and oval shapes in primary colors perform a sensual, upbeat ballet to the music of composer Ralph Rainger. The geometric dance is set against a background of expanding circles that suggest radio waves. [Early Version and Late Version preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 1999].

Spirals

In 'Spirals' Oskar Fischinger designed visual patterns of extreme complexity which often develop in overlapping cycles, yet he interrupts these patterns with radical editing of single frames of contrasting imagery. 'Spirals' exists as a fragmentary unfinished experimental film. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2001.

Study No. 1

Short film preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2000.

Wax Experiments

For the production of this film, Oskar Fischinger tinted various layers of hot wax. After cooling, the resulting lump of wax resembled a marble cake. Fischinger then began to cut off slices from the lump, photographing each step.

Squares

A continuous movement. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2000.

Study No. 9

An experimental short from Oskar Fischinger

Coloratura

Fischinger's abstract designs accompanied by Gitta Alpar singing. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2000.

Organic Fragment

a short animation from Oskar Fischinger, drawings with periodic colour coding and some cells completely painted.

Concerto

Short animation experiment drawn by Oskar Fischinger

Mutoscope Reels

An mutoscope motion picture installation commissioned for the 86th anniversary of the Guggenheim museum. Later preserved and turned into a short film. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2000.

Study No. 5

An abstract ballet set to "I've Never Seen a Smile Like Yours".

Radio Dynamics

An experiment into what the director termed 'colour rhythm'.

An American March

Stars and stripes forever and ever and ever. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2000.