Paul Glabicki: Diagram Film, 1978

From the excellent UbuWeb, Diagram Film.


"Live-action and still images of objects, places, classic films and other situations are presented and then followed by animated diagrams that explain, transform or re-interpret what has just been seen. The animated sequences become a vehicle of entry into an alternate viewing space."

The museum of macroeconomic anxiety

In honour of our readers from the hedge fund world, we offer some resources for exploring the economic landscape of the 1970s in relation to present day dilemmas. Commentary to follow.

1. Inflation - both in labour costs and in raw materials

2. Protectionism

3. Energy crisis

4. Environmentalism

5. Consumerism

6. Automation and new technology restructuring the workplace

7. Globalisation

8. Stagflation

For a vivid saccount of the atmosphere on Wall Street of the time, pre Gordon Gekko, we recommend The Money Game by 'Adam Smith' - thanks to the macro trader for the tip.

Rehearsal for the 'Shaft' soundtrack, 1971

The Girl Chewing Gum

This superb little documentary from 1976 not only depicts a fascinating slice of east End life but also raises some important questions about truth, fiction and representation in documentary film-making. Godardian in its ambitions, it uses the representation of a street corner in a Dalston neighbourhood to produce a hilarious montage of effects and questions. To begin with you might think that the narrator is adopting a Tati-esque micro-choreography but the perspective soon shifts...

Watch it for yourself and then you will see...

For a more thorough analysis of John Smith's work, see here.

Dan Hill on 1970s brutalist architecture, australia, tropicana and climate change

This post from the excellent blog CityofSound encapsulates precisely why we should be interested in the 1970s as a source of zeitgeist fuel in the early years of the 21st century.