It seems my work is becoming tangled in a web of obscure cultural references...
I am working on the deployment of Nike Missiles around the perimeter of Chicago in the 1950's. Some time ago I came across a short film that was produced by an electronics company here in Chicago during the 1950's or early 60's titled "Charlies Atlas". My interest in the film began when I was scouring the Prelinger Collection of documentary and ephemeral films - on the hunt for things related to the city during the 50's:
Like many cold war artifacts, this film seems odd given the facts of the world we live in today. Where is this curious town with missiles on the main street? My first guess was Huntsville, Alabama . And when and where in the age of television did young boys dress like that? Several clues lead me to believe that this was made in the 1960's, including the cars seen on the street, although other clues suggest perhaps this may have been the late 1950's. A company responsible for creating the film, Cook Electronics, was apparently based in Chicago at this time - their headquarters were on Southport Avenue just a few blocks from my office in Lincoln Park...
Fast forward to last week. Again looked at this film. Came across an edited version that reminded me of a '90's snarky show on some comedy network whose sole premise was to make fun of old sci-fi movies from the 50's and 60's - Mystery Science Theater 3000 or MST3K..
I am working on the deployment of Nike Missiles around the perimeter of Chicago in the 1950's. Some time ago I came across a short film that was produced by an electronics company here in Chicago during the 1950's or early 60's titled "Charlies Atlas". My interest in the film began when I was scouring the Prelinger Collection of documentary and ephemeral films - on the hunt for things related to the city during the 50's:
Fast forward to last week. Again looked at this film. Came across an edited version that reminded me of a '90's snarky show on some comedy network whose sole premise was to make fun of old sci-fi movies from the 50's and 60's - Mystery Science Theater 3000 or MST3K..
Obscure cultural references abound. The narrator mentions John Galt, somehow relevant in the 2012 election mess, Viagra, and Robert Oppenheimer...
Again.. Another version - this time used as background for Sufjan Stevens' song Concerning the UFO Sighting near Highland Illinois.
This song was said to be about the sighting of a Black Triangle UFO in southern Illinois about 12 years ago.. Cultural artifacts - traces - enter the public domain and are reworked, repurposed, recycled.
Again.. It seems my work is becoming tangled in a web of obscure cultural references...
Again.. Another version - this time used as background for Sufjan Stevens' song Concerning the UFO Sighting near Highland Illinois.
Again.. It seems my work is becoming tangled in a web of obscure cultural references...
