Enigma

Enigma

1972 · 4 min · ★ 2.0 · Animation

“Lines and rectangles are the geometric shapes basic to ENIGMA, a computer graphics film full of subliminal and persistent image effects. In a staccato rhythm, the film builds to a climax by instantly replacing one set of shapes with another, each set either changing in composition and color or remaining for a moment to vibrate strobiscopically and then change.” – The Booklist.

Directed by Lillian Schwartz

Your Rating

Make it a double feature

13m together

Enigma

How the Lion Cub and the Turtle Sang a Song

A close match in mood and era.

More from Lillian SchwartzSee all →

Pixillation

Pixillation · 1970

MovieMusicAnimation

Pixillation features computer generated abstract animations set to Moog-synthesized sound.

UFOs

Blasting off into cosmic visual abstraction, pioneering computer artist Lillian Schwartz’s UFOs is a kinetic tour-de-force whose innovative pixel pigmentation showcased advanced stereoscopic technology as art.

Mutations

Mutations · 1972

“The changing dots, ectoplasmic shapes and electronic music of L. Schwartz’s ‘Mutations’ which has been shot with the aid of computers and lasers, makes for an eye-catching view of the potentials of the new techniques.” – A. H. Weiler, N. Y. Times

Olympiad

Olympiad · 1971

Study in motion based on Muybridge’s photographs of man running.

The Artist and the Computer

The Artist and the Computer · 1976

The Artist and the Computer

MovieDocumentaryAnimation

Pioneering artist Lillian Schwartz demonstrates the human input -- integrity, artistic sensibilities, and aesthetics -- that goes into producing early computer art. In voice-over she explains the intent behind a number of her films and offers insight into the artist's problems and decisions. Produced for AT&T.

Some of My Best Friends Are...

Some of My Best Friends Are... · 1971

Some of My Best Friends Are...

Regulars gather at The Blue Jay, a gay bar in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, to celebrate Christmas Eve 1971 with people they consider family.

Googolplex

Googolplex · 1972

Extended editing techniques based on Land’s experiments affect the viewer’s sensory perceptions.

Apotheosis

Apotheosis · 1972

“Apotheosis, which is developed from images made in the radiation treatment of human cancer, is the most beautiful and the most subtly textured work in computer animation I have seen.” – Roger Greenspun, N. Y. Times Award Foothills-1973.

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis · 1974

“Schwartz’ METAMORPHOSIS is a complex study of evolving lines, planes, and circles, all moving at different speeds, and resulting in subtle color changes. The only computer-generated work on the program, it transcends what many of us have come to expect of such film with its subtle variations and significant use of color.” – Catherine Egan

Innocence

Innocence · 1973

Computer generated music and visuals films directly from a color TV monitor.

OHM+: The Early Gurus Of Electronic Music : 1948–1980

OHM+: The Early Gurus Of Electronic Music : 1948–1980 · 2005

OHM+: The Early Gurus Of Electronic Music : 1948–1980

MovieMusicAnimation

Drawing on rare performances, interviews, animations, and experimental film, this documentary surveys the formative years of electronic music from 1948 to 1980. Featuring pioneering composers and inventors—including Milton Babbitt and Leon Theremin—the film explores the experimental technologies, academic laboratories, and creative struggles that shaped the early evolution of electronic sound.

The Lady or The Tiger

The Lady or The Tiger · 1990

The Lady or The Tiger

Created in 1990 at AT&T's Bell Labs in a program called Sculpt, one of the very first real-time texture mapping programs.

Ensemble #1

Ensemble #1 · 1977

Music by Albert E. Miller. Combination of musicians and dancers in free form movements captured by computer-controlled-video which permits distortions and variations of the imagery. Continued experimentation with Rock Music and performers.

X-STRIA2

X-STRIA2 · 2013

This animation can be watched in 2D or using Chromadepth Glasses in 3D.

Nino

Music by Albert E. Miller. Experimental work with dancer and musicians to combine and present an unusual choreography of performers and music as a unified force.

Mime Control

Mime Control · 1977

The artist uses the computer to accent and control a mime’s disciplined choreography. Studies in facial distortions with lens distortions. Channel 13, WNET.

More Like This

The Care Bears Movie

The Care Bears Movie · 1985

The Care Bears Movie

MovieAdventureFantasy

The Care Bears team up with a troubled brother and sister who just moved to a new town to help a neglected young magician's apprentice whose evil spell book causes sinister things to happen.

How the Lion Cub and the Turtle Sang a Song

How the Lion Cub and the Turtle Sang a Song · 1974

How the Lion Cub and the Turtle Sang a Song

MovieAnimationMusic

The Tortoise composed a song and the Lion cub learnt it by heart and they sang it together.

Scooby-Doo! in Arabian Nights

Scooby-Doo! in Arabian Nights · 1994

Scooby-Doo! in Arabian Nights

MovieFamilyFantasy

Scooby-Doo and Shaggy travel to Arabia to become the Caliph's Royal Food Tasters. But they bite off more than they can chew and are forced to run for their lives! It's a wild magic carpet ride as Scooby-Doo, Shaggy and their genie (Yogi Bear) and a jolly sailor named Sinbad (Magilla Gorilla) take you on an adventure of mistaken identities, exotic locations and fun-filled action and surprises!

Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas

Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas · 2004

Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas

MovieAnimationComedy

Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse and all his Disney pals star in an original movie about the importance of opening your heart to the true spirit of Christmas. Stubborn old Donald tries in vain to resist the joys of the season, and Mickey and Pluto learn a great lesson about the power of friendship.

Shark Tale

Shark Tale · 2004

MovieAnimationAction

Oscar is a small fish whose big aspirations often get him into trouble. Meanwhile, Lenny is a great white shark with a surprising secret that no sea creature would guess: He's a vegetarian. When a lie turns Oscar into an improbable hero and Lenny becomes an outcast, the two form an unlikely friendship.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter