Mar 30, 2011

Oskar Fischinger's Lumigraph


Being an abstract animator, Oskar Fischinger wanted a machine to help him make spectacular light arrangements to be paired up with music. He invented the Lumigraph, a type of "color organ," a term describing a wide array of electromechanical machines that were capable of producing visuals in accordance with sound. These machines had a variety of ways of doing so. "Color Organ" was a name that arose in the 60s and 70s due to the colorful light shows that these machines produced to go along with music or sound.
Oskar's machine created thin beams of light by exerting pressure on a rubberized screen. The size of the performer dictated how big the screen could be (how high the performer could reach). In order for the device to function properly, operation involved two people. One to maneuver the screen to produce imagery, and another to altar the lights when necessary. Oskar did shows in LA and San Francisco, and the machine was involved in the creation of the movie The Time Travelers in 1964. In this instance, the Lumigraph was referred to as a "Lumichord" according to the producers, not Oskar. Oskar's son constructed two more of the devices varying in size. And the Lumigraph continued to perform at the hands of Oskar's wife after his death. A Lumigraph that she used remains in a museum in Germany, and still performs occasionally.

Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_Fischinger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_organ

Image: http://www.centerforvisualmusic.org/Fischinger/Lumigraph.htm

Post By Luke

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