Ralph Steiner's cinematographic style, usually experimental or avant-garde; and that can generally be framed as absolute, pure or even abstract cinema; in this specific case, it is close to the machinism genre typical of post-futurists such as Eugene Deslaw. In Mechanical Principles, from 1930, he made a film based entirely on the movement of mechanical elements. The sensual movement of hard and inert components, created for mere productivity and apparently without any aesthetic purpose, is captured with great delicacy. Through the camera lens, what seemed indifferent to life becomes soft and organic, capable of imitating the sinuous movements of animals. Cogwheels and pistons move with graceful fluidity, turning their geometric shapes into living, functioning organs. The hypnotic dance of the gears is masterfully captured. Before our eyes, the camera performs the conjuring act of giving authentic life to the artificially created movement. On the other hand, technically speaking, it is an impressive testimonial to Steiner's skill and ability to present technical principles in an interesting and educational way. In a certain sense, this short film is relevant, in addition to being a cinematographic work, as a repertoire of practical examples for those who wish to understand the fundamentals of mechanical engineering. Robert Haller rightly says in his description: "The film presents a deceptively 'open' series of images of gears and pistons that transfer motion from the vertical to the rotating direction. Musical in its repetitive visual form, it now appears similar to paintings." and Charles Sheeler's photographs of railroad locomotive wheels and gears, a tribute to the machine age."
Music: Principios Mechaniches, by Ortiz Morales
Kinematics 2023 are:
Carmen Morales.....................prepared piano
José García Belmonte.............violins 1/2
Jorge Muñoz...........................double bass
Ortiz Morales..........................viola/ noises
José García Belmonte.............violins 1/2
Jorge Muñoz...........................double bass
Ortiz Morales..........................viola/ noises
Collaboration for the SUMA Festival 2023 of advanced/experimental music.Center Pompidou. Malaga