Quasi-hypnotic mathematical construct

August 4, 2010 1:58 PM

Bruce and Katharine Cornwell are primarily known for a series of remarkable animated films on the subject of geometry. Created on the Tektronics 4051 Graphics Terminal, they are brilliant short films, tracing geometric shapes to intriguing music, including the memorable 'Bach meets Third Steam Jazz' musical score in ‘Congruent Triangles.’
posted by Potomac Avenue (8 comments total)

Where can I get the soundtrack to the 'Congruent Triangles' video?
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 2:04 PM on August 4, 2010

I thought maybe they'd also made the deeply disturbing 'The Dot and the Line', which I'm sure we all remember from grade school. But no, this was before their time. It's worth revisiting though.
posted by Flashman at 2:08 PM on August 4, 2010 [1 favorite]

I admit it. I am a geometry nerd and LOVE this. thanks!
posted by tarantula at 2:16 PM on August 4, 2010

Related, I love this video by Michal Levy set to Giant Steps.
posted by exogenous at 2:23 PM on August 4, 2010 [1 favorite]

These are neat.
posted by box at 2:24 PM on August 4, 2010

Lovely.
posted by not that girl at 4:51 PM on August 4, 2010

What's disturbing about Dot and Line? Dot and Line rule.
posted by DU at 5:30 AM on August 5, 2010

I don't understand how that video could've been made on the terminal described in the other link. The video has several colors, and the lines it draws don't stay on the screen.

Was each frame made individually on a 4051 and then assembled using traditional animation techniques that added the colors later?
posted by Galaxor Nebulon at 11:16 AM on August 5, 2010