Bob Snyder

"[This] is my first attempt to construct a video piece using one set of generative intervals for both sound and color. All of the color in the piece is orchestrated in brightness ‘octaves’ corresponding to the registration of the pitches in the soundtrack. Each hue from a circle of twelve corresponds to one of the pitches of a tempered scale. The articulation of the piece consists of a series of loudness and brightness ripples which move across the piece in speed relationships derived from the hue and pitch proportions. The image content, or the ‘instruments’ through which the colors resonate, are an alphabetical set of identifying symbols for 32 of the largest corporations in the world." - Bob Snyder

Experimental film by Bob Snyder, 1981.

Lines of Force opens with footage of a dramatic explosion. The screen is divided, into a triptych at first, and slowly into horizontal and vertical bars. Electronically manipulated footage from a variety of sources mingle and collide. Naturally occurring lines in the array of images presented mirror the electronically created bars and lines the artist uses to divide the screen; A piece as neon and free-jazz as it is meticulous and concrete.

“This 60 minute electronic fantasy featuring computer animation can control and change your moods of elation and tranquility. To change or enhance your mood, simply play a musical selection that accompanies your present feeling - its mesmerising! The abstract colorised computer animated visuals are artfully paced with their complimentary sound track. Images explode with colour while sooting with flowing shapes and rhythms, Great for parties or individual contemplation.”

Short experimental animation from a trio of talented knob-twiddlers.

A joint effort by numerous video artists of the time, starring dancer Rylin Harris.

The Second Electronic Visualization Event took place at The University of Illinois Chicago Circle Campus in 1976. This documentation features Bob Snyder on EMU Synthesizer, Phil Morton on the Sandin Image Processor by Dan Sandin and Guenther Tetz on the GRASS (GRaphics Symbiosis System) by Tom DeFanti. In Morton's words these artists perform live realtime audio and video synthesis "using both analog and digital computers as 'visual instruments'..." Other artists credited with participation in the Electronic Visualization Events between 1975 and 1978 include Drew Browning, Larry Cuba, Barbara Latham, John Manning, Faramarz Rahbar, Ed Rankus, Michael Sterling, Barbara Sykes and Jane Veeder.