The Birth of the Robot (1936)

The Birth of the Robot (1936)

„The Birth of the Robot“ is a 1936 animated short film directed by Len Lye from a screenplay by C.H. David.

In 1936, New Zealand-born artist and filmmaker Len Lye crafted a mesmerizing and bizarre short film titled „The Birth of the Robot“. Commissioned as an advertisement for Shell Motor Oil, Lye transformed the mundane into a surreal spectacle, showcasing his innovative animation techniques and captivating visual style.

The Birth of the Robot is not a narrative film in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s a rhythmic, almost abstract exploration of movement, form, and the relationship between the natural and the mechanical. The film opens with a lush, Eden-like landscape populated by whimsical creatures. Suddenly, a shower of oil descends, animating not only the parched flora and fauna but also a variety of anthropomorphized automobiles.

These mechanical beings, crafted from cutouts and everyday objects, come to life in a dance of jerky, almost spasmodic movements. They interact with each other and their environment in a series of vignettes, their forms shifting and transforming in a kaleidoscope of color and light. The oil, both life-giving and potentially destructive, serves as a metaphor for the ambiguous relationship between humanity and technology.

Lye was a pioneer of direct animation, a technique where he manipulated the film stock itself, scratching, painting, and adding objects directly onto the celluloid. This method allowed him to create a unique visual language, full of vibrant colors, dynamic patterns, and a sense of tactile immediacy. The Birth of the Robot showcases Lye’s mastery of this technique, with each frame bursting with energy and a playful sense of experimentation.

Lye’s choice of music further enhances the film’s otherworldly atmosphere. Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite „The Planets“ provides a majestic and sometimes ominous backdrop to the visuals. The rhythmic pulsations and dramatic crescendos of the music amplify the film’s mechanical ballet, creating a mesmerizing audio-visual experience.

Despite its experimental nature, The Birth of the Robot was a commercial success, shown in over 300 cinemas and seen by millions. However, its impact extends far beyond its initial purpose as an advertisement. The film is now recognized as a landmark of experimental animation, showcasing Lye’s artistic vision and technical ingenuity.

The Soundtrack: Holst’s „The Planets“

„The Birth of the Robot“ (dt.: Die Geburtsstunde des Roboters) ist ein animierter Kurzfilm von Len Lye aus dem Jahr 1936 nach einem Drehbuch von C.H. David.

1936 schuf der in Neuseeland geborene Künstler und Filmemacher Len Lye einen faszinierenden und bizarren Kurzfilm mit dem Titel „The Birth of the Robot“. Im Auftrag einer Werbung für Shell Motor Oil verwandelte Lye das Alltägliche in ein surreales Spektakel, in dem er seine innovativen Animationstechniken und seinen fesselnden visuellen Stil präsentierte.