17 Dec The Ethereal Geometric Volume in music videos
I wanted to write something about a very specific genre of music videos that seems to pop up every few years and has only continued to increase in popularity as special effects costs get lower and the techniques get more accessible. This music video type can be found in genres ranging from electronica to rock and beyond. The trope common to all the music videos I’m discussing is the use of the ethereal geometric volume
An ethereal geometric volume is a plot device similar to something like Hitchcock’s MacGuffin where it can simply exist as a polygonal device to move the plot along without it really being explained what this volume really is.
These devices can be the main characters, a representation of an omnipotent force, a terror, an alien invasion. They can be Cubes, Pyramids, and Spheres or broken polygonal shapes. They can be shattered to bits and oh..good lord, they float and hover like nobody’s business.
Let’s start at n=4..the PYRAMID
Pyramid Example #1: M83 – “Wait” – 2012
Pyramid as Spaceship
M83 ‘Wait’ Official video from The Creators Project on Vimeo.
Pyramid Example #2: Frank Ocean – “Pyramids” – 2012
Pyramid as Structure and 2d John Mayer guitar solo background
frank ocean [pyramids] from christopher francis ocean on Vimeo.
Now let’s step forward into n=6…the CUBE
Cube example #1: Phantogram – Don’t Move – 2012
Cube as ethereal looming terror (with shatter!)
Phantogram ‘Don’t Move’ from 10lb Pictures on Vimeo.
Cube example #2: Battles – Atlas – 2007
Cube as floating spaceship stage (low-rez…anyone have an HD link for this vid?)
Cube example #3: Mew – Introducing Palace Players – 2009
Cubes as alien lifeforms
Cube Example #4: M83 – We Own the Sky – 2009
Cubes as alien life forms (with shatter!)
Cube Example #5: Kid606 – Sometimes – 2006
Cubes as alien life forms (also with shatter…)
And then finally n= infinity…the SPHERE
Sphere example #1: The Antlers – Bear – 2010
Sphere as relationship burden/unborn child
(Hemi)Sphere Example #2: Denali – Hold your breath – 2003
Sphere as strange alien invasion of a river jam session
