Event 3 Blog Post

 Microscopy of Historical Film Colors

    The exhibition Microscopy of Historical Film Colors was an event that showcased a project that examined historical film color samples and the chemical composition of these cross-sections. This event was a perfect example of the applications of this class, as it carefully examined the science behind an artistic production. 

    One of the examples presented that stood out to me was mordant toning. Mordant toning is a technique that replaces silver images with colored dye (filmcolors). This technique was created in order to broaden and intensify the range of colors in films. In this method of toning, the silver in the image is chemically converted to a salt that is essentially colorless, and therefore serves as a mordant (FilmCare). It can then be dyed with solutions to enhance the picture, and as a result, produce better imaging for films (PR). I found this interesting because of the exact scientific process behind the film production. The result of this intersection between art and science is similar to the methods we learned about in Nanotechnology and art. It is incredible how artists and scientists can use similar methods to better their craft. 

    Another project that was discussed at the event was Scan2Screen, which was developed to digitize the workflow necessary for colors in film. This project is important because it, "massively reduces costly human interventions in post-production and color grading" (FilmSeminar). Through multiple calculations and scientific methods, the researchers were able to digitize an artistic process that is time consuming and labor intensive for humans (Orchid). I found this very interesting, because it not only exemplifies what science and art can do to produce a better product, but also shows that it can help increase efficiency and shorten labor periods. This example reminded me of our unit on robotics and art, as a digitized medium is used to aid the production of artwork. 

    Overall, this event was an ideal way to portray the intersection between science and art, and allowed me to see even more ways that this area of study is growing. It was very interesting, and I would highly recommend that others take time to look at the exhibit in the future. 

Sources

Flueckiger20, Barbara. “Mordant Toning / Dye Toning.” Timeline of Historical Film Colors, 2005, filmcolors.org/timeline-entry/1217/#:~:text=Mordanttoning.

Monaghan, Peter. “Reproducing Film Colors, and Their Significances |.” Moving Image Archive News, 17 Mar. 2016, www.movingimagearchivenews.org/reproducing-film-colors-and-their-significances/.

Orcid. “Barbara Flueckiger .” ORCID, 1 June 2021, orcid.org/0000-0003-4954-5469.

Process Reversal, Process Reversal. “Images from the Color of Salt.” Process Reversal, Process Reversal Http://Www.processreversal.org/Wp-Content/Uploads/2016/10/black_tranparency_340_40boundry-300x300.Png, 2 Apr. 2013, www.processreversal.org/images-from-tinting-toning/.

RIT. FilmCare.org, 2021, www.filmcare.org/id_toned.php.

University of Zurich. “SNF Bridge Discovery Scan2Screen.” UZH, Universität Zürich, 27 May 2021, www.film.uzh.ch/de/research/projects/verbund/scan2screen.html.

University of Zurich. “University.” UZH, University of Zurich, 31 May 2021, www.uzh.ch/en.html.

Zhmakin, Sergey. “Early Cinema Tinting & Toning LUTs.” Dribbble, 2021, dribbble.com/shots/10738290-Early-Cinema-Tinting-Toning-LUTs.