This week I’ve re-visited a well established trend of online videos that continue to emerge. They usually come from artists’ studios, graphic designers, factories and even inventors. They show the process of creation and the beauty involved in that process to illustrate and document an object coming into the world. As you will see from some of the videos below, these objects are often beautiful to look at in their own right, but somehow, being shown the means in which they were made makes them more so, or presents a different kind of intrigue and understanding that allows us to remember something more clearly and appreciate it more. This trend in videos like this have been born out of the recognition that documenting a process, an event, a story or an experience via the use of video, is of more importance than it ever has been. It was over a year ago that my girlfriend and I filmed her screen printing and it served (for a time) as a vital piece of media that allowed her to communicate to a much wider audience what it is she does. We plan on doing more of these in the run up to her final MA show with plenty of inspiration to feed from! Most recently notable for me are the Glithero studio, where everything is documented in this fashion.
Making of a Blueware Vase from Glithero on Vimeo.
Paper Planes from Glithero on Vimeo.
Last week I linked to a film called ‘The Shoemaker’ which is taken from a series by Dustin Cohen called ‘Made in Brooklyn’. Although these are more documentary like in their presentation, they are initially derived from the elegance of several traditional techniques.
The Violin Maker from Dustin Cohen on Vimeo.
‘Made by Hand’ is also a series of short films that celebrate the people who make things by hand — sustainably, locally, and with a love for their craft.
Made by Hand / No 4 The Cigar Shop from Made by Hand on Vimeo.
And lastly, two videos illustrating the power of the pen.
The Making of “Hero” from Miguel Endara on Vimeo.
Todd MacDonald 