The Light Penetrates the Dark (1931)
Zdenek Pešánek created the first public kinetic sculpture, for the power station in Prague. This short experimental film focuses on a kinetic sculpture by Zdenek Pešánek. For a period of eight years it issued beams of light from the outside wall of a transformer station at Prague’s power utility before its destruction in 1939. Though genuine, these shots seem abstract to us. They are a rhythmically assembled ode to the light-creating devices and phenomena of electricity. Light arcs, coils, bulbs and various luminous elements support the alternation of positive and negative film images, creating an impressive universe of light and shade. In the 1920s, Pešánek had obtained financial support for his work with electric kinetic light art. In the 1930s, he was the first sculptor to use neon lights. He built several kinetic light pianos, and published a book titled “Kinetismus” in 1941. —http://www.centerforvisualmusic.org
Screenplay
- Otakar Vávra (Screenplay)
- Jaroslav R. Vávra (Screenplay)
- Otakar Vávra (Story)
Keywords
avant-garde, non-narrative, short film
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is The Light Penetrates the Dark about?
- Zdenek Pešánek created the first public kinetic sculpture, for the power station in Prague. This short experimental film focuses on a kinetic sculpture by Zdenek Pešánek. For a period of eight years it issued beams of light from the outside wall of a transformer station at Prague’s power utility before its destruction in 1939. Though genuine, these shots seem abstract to us. They are a rhythmically assembled ode to the light-creating devices and phenomena of electricity. Light arcs, coils, bulbs and various luminous elements support the alternation of positive and negative film images, creating an impressive universe of light and shade. In the 1920s, Pešánek had obtained financial support for his work with electric kinetic light art. In the 1930s, he was the first sculptor to use neon lights. He built several kinetic light pianos, and published a book titled “Kinetismus” in 1941. —http://www.centerforvisualmusic.org
- Who directed The Light Penetrates the Dark?
- The Light Penetrates the Dark was directed by Otakar Vávra, František Pilát.
- How long is The Light Penetrates the Dark?
- The Light Penetrates the Dark has a runtime of 4m (4 minutes).
- What genre is The Light Penetrates the Dark?
- The Light Penetrates the Dark is a Documentary film.
- Where was The Light Penetrates the Dark produced?
- The Light Penetrates the Dark was produced in Czechoslovakia.