German Expressionism: Art And Graffiti

Evolution is a natural way of life. As humans we are evolutionary creatures who's purpose it is to find meaning in our lives, to grow, learn and question the world around us. Perhaps the best way to explain my point is to look towards art and creativity. All artist wether they are painters, sculptures, musicians of filmmakers have most likely been influenced by the works of others. If we trace the growth of human creativity we find inspiration can be drawn, interpreted and reinvented in many different ways. Cave paintings for example date from more than 12000 years ago, they represent our need to express inner feeling and make others think about what it is they see. If we look millions of years down the line Graffiti replaces these cave drawings but essentially creates the same purpose, to express our deepest emotions as artists.

German Expressionism is an artistic movement that rose from the smouldering ashes of World War |. This movement would change the film industry and it's approach to filmmaking. Expressionism was a response to a widespread anxiety about humanities increasing discordant relationship with the world. During this time the German nation had been virtually destroyed. The war introduced death in staggering numbers and highlighted the barbarism of humanity. The chaotic results of the war inspired an artistic revolution that would impact cinema for a century later. More than ninety years after it's development the movement known as German Expressionism is still influencing the minds and actions of filmmakers and artists. Born out of despair and tragedy this movement has grown so readily that many modern icons can find their roots in German durning the 1920's. The minds of Fritz Lang, F.W Marnau, Robert Weine, Er...

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...both suggested that lighting and the style of chiaroscuro is probably the single most important element of cinematic Expressionism. However Dietrich Scheunemann disagrees claiming that many of the first films to claim to be expressionist pieces are simply not, and no amount of lighting will make them so. Scheunemann criticises the cinematography of the film 'The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari' stating that it is distinctively unimpressive He instead suggests that it is through the curved walls, oblique windows, slanting doors and strange radical patterns on the floor that the film establishes it's nightmarish atmosphere. In light of Schunemann's views on the visual representation of Expressionism, I hope to analyse the impact Expressionism had on other genres and how contemporary filmmaker Tim Burton has evolved these visual techniques to relate to a modern day audience.