PLANNING & STRUCTURING AN ESSAY Suggested Research Question. This can be a topic or theme, but please try to be as precise as possible. The chosen essay topic/theme is on the subject of Modernism and how the movement has influenced sci-fi aesthetically. The aim is to discuss whether or not Modernism and its sub-movements (Vorticism, Cubism, Futurism, Minimalism, etc) have affected sci-fi directly. The focus will be on whether or not the visual language used in sci-fi cinema has been affected by the afore mentioned movements. However, the principles and philosophy of Modernism and how they have affected science fiction may also be considered and discussed. This discussion will result in an exploration and conclusion of exactly how much impact the movement has had on sci-fi cinema, if any.
Which Academic Sources will you reference? Include a Harvard Referenced bibliography of at least 10 sources. (or what you have found so far) Tate.org.uk. (2017). Modernism. [online] Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/ m/modernism [Accessed 18 Jan. 2017]. Encyclopedia Britannica. (2017). 10 Modernist Art Movements. [online] Available at: https:// www.britannica.com/list/10-modernist-art-movements [Accessed 18 Jan. 2017]. The Art Story. (2017). Movements and Styles in Modern Art. [online] Available at: http://www.theartstory.org/ section_movements.htm [Accessed 18 Jan. 2017]. Encyclopedia Britannica. (2017). Modernism | art. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/ Modernism-art [Accessed 18 Jan. 2017]. Iaccino, J. (1998). Jungian Reflections within the Cinema: A Psychological Analysis of Sci-Fi and Fantasy Archetypes. 1st ed. Praeger. March-Russell, P. (n.d.). Modernism and science fiction. 1st ed. Levenson, M. (2011). The Cambridge companion to modernism. 1st ed. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Conversations.aaschool.ac.uk. (2017). FILM’S OBSESSION WITH MODERNISM. [online] Available at: http://conversations.aaschool.ac.uk/films-obsession-with-modernism/ [Accessed 23 Jan. 2017]. Martin, R. (n.d.). The architecture of David Lynch. 1st ed. Conversations.aaschool.ac.uk. (2017). FILM’S OBSESSION WITH MODERNISM. [online] Available at: http://conversations.aaschool.ac.uk/films-obsession-with-modernism/ [Accessed 23 Jan. 2017]. Dawtrey, L. (1996). Investigating modern art. 1st ed. [New Haven]: Yale University Press in association with the Open University, the Arts Council of England, and the Tate Gallery. Stangos, N. (n.d.). Concepts of modern art. 3rd ed. London: Thames and Hudson. Glassy, M. (2001). The biology of science fiction cinema. 1st ed. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland. Dawtrey, L. (1996). Investigating modern art. 1st ed. [New Haven]: Yale University Press in association with the Open University, the Arts Council of England, and the Tate Gallery.
What Images / illustrations will you analyse? Futurism and industrialisation in Metropolis architecture: The architecture and design featured in Metropolis is a great example of cinematic design that has been influenced hugely by Modernist ideas and design principles. The design of the cityscapes featured throughout the film share many of the design principles of Futurism and Expressionism, and the plot line is one that clearly has a root in industrialism and the idea of a ‘modern society’, which is something that is prevalent in Modernist thinking. Form following function in The Death Star: The iconic battle station featured in multiple Star Wars movies is one that echoes the Modernist dictum coined by Louis Sullivan: “…Form ever follows function” (Sullivan, 1956). It’s function is to serve as an impregnable fortress, as a symbol of the Emperor’s rule, as a mobile battle station, and as ultimately as a super weapon. The design of the death star is primarily functional, a large sphere, which serves it’s function as a weapon, but also provides it with a monolithic design, meeting it’s function of being a symbol of impenetrable power. An example that doesn’t meet this principle to the same extent would be that of the early, stereotype of a UFO. The disk-like design is one that is primarily just that, pure aesthetic design, that serves no clear function other than to look futuristic and alien. Form following function, minimalism and a rejection of the styles of the past in the design of robots in Interstellar: In a similar vein to the Death Star in Star Wars meeting the design principle of form follows function, the design of the robots TARS and CASE featured in the film Interstellar is another prime example. True to modernist design principles, they are functional machines and their form serves primarily to allow that function. Additionally, the design of TARS and CASE could also be seen as a rejection of styles of the past. The robots are a complete contradiction of the design of previous robots throughout decades of sci-fi cinema. Generally, robots are machines that are made to look human, but that perform functions that far surpass the capabilities of humans. TARS and CASE are intentionally designed to not appear humanoid. It could also be said of TARS and CASE that they play to the design principles of Minimalism.
Essay Map This thesis aims to investigate the role that Modernism, and it’s sub-movements (Minimalism, Vorticism, Cubism, Expressionism, etc), have played in science fiction cinema. The focus of the essay is to discuss whether or not the afore mentioned movements have had an impact on the aesthetic and visual language of science fiction cinema. The philosophy of Modernism and it’s impact on science fiction may also come into question. This investigation and discussion will inform the reader of the impact that Modernism has had on cinema and culture even to this day. It will also provide an insight into the design principles that have formed the genre and provide a partial chronology of the development of science fictions aesthetic. To be convinced by this claim, the reader will first need to be introduced to Modernism, it’s philosophies and it’s relevant design principles. This will include a introductory explanation of Modernism as defined by a collection of academic sources. The next thing the reader needs to know is how early science fiction was intertwined with Modernist movements. This would discuss early films such as Aelita Queen of Mars, which was directed by a German Expressionist (Yakov Protazanov). It could also be discussed how the modernist era was one that was characterised by industrialisation, rapid social change, and advances in science and the social sciences and that these changes played a big part in the development of science fiction (utopia, revolution, etc). The next thing the reader needs to know is how modernist design principles and thinking influenced science fiction film. This will be demonstrated by providing examples of specific design principles and modernist movements and the specific films and design choices that they have had an impact on. This will include multiple visual examples including: Futurism and industrialisation in Metropolis architecture; form following function in The Death Star; and form following function, minimalism and a rejection of the styles of the past in the design of robots in Interstellar. The reader will also need to be made aware of contradicting examples that argue against the thesis, examples of films that are evidently post-modern, etc.