Behrens Video Archive
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Keywords
Ames, Adelbert, 1880-1955; Anamorphosis (Visual perception); Anamorphic art;
Publication Type
Video
Description
This is the concluding part of a three-part series of video talks that overview the life of American artist, scientist, and psychologist Adelbert Ames II (1880-1955).
Ames was primarily known for having devised about twenty-five laboratory set-ups, collectively referred to as the Ames Demonstrations in Perception.
This part is a discussion of Ames’ influence on others, among them psychologists, filmmakers, and artists, especially in his targeted use of use of anamorphosis (or "forced perspective”) in his well-known demonstrations. For example, it is shown that there were connections between Ames’ research, Vorticism, and avant-garde filmmaking (Ballet Mecanique), as well as with popular culture, such as cinematic special effects and roadside tourist attractions.
This segment ends by looking at the recent works of three contemporary visual artists, who, in one way or another, make astonishing use of perspective. They are Jan Beutener (Amsterdam), Richard Koenig (Kalamazoo, Michigan), and Patrick Hughes (London).
This series is a consequence of long-term research by Roy R. Behrens, UNI emeritus professor, who replicated and exhibited some of the Ames Demonstrations at UNI in the early 1970s, and began to research Ames’ life. In 1994, he was invited to lecture on the subject at Dartmouth College, where Ames’ work had been conducted. Written, produced and narrated by Roy R. Behrens (©2022).
Identifier
10
Publication Date
2022
Publisher
UNI ScholarWorks, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa
Language
en
File Format
video/mp4
Recommended Citation
Behrens, Roy R., "Part 3 / Ames and Anamorphosis: The Man Who Made Distorted Rooms" (2022). Behrens Video Archive. 9.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/behrens_videos/9
