Marco Brambilla’s Civilization is a video mural created for the lifts of New York’s Standard Hotel. Assembled from hundreds of loops of found and original footage, the mural depicts an ascent from hell, via purgatory, to heaven (and a less heartening journey for those going down to the lobby). Think Dante’s Divine Comedy, or Hieronymus Bosch with cameos by Princess Leia, General Zod and the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.
The high definition version is amazing. Did I spy Michael Jackson? :)
Posted by: John D | June 30, 2009 at 07:49
I can't see the video.
Posted by: sk60 | June 30, 2009 at 09:51
For some reason the YouTube embed has suddenly stopped displaying in Internet Explorer. But it works fine in Safari. And if you follow the link to the clip at YouTube it plays in either browser. So I’m a little puzzled.
For best results, watch the high definition version, linked above, at Motionographer.
Posted by: David | June 30, 2009 at 09:57
Thanks. Wow.
Posted by: sk60 | June 30, 2009 at 10:11
Drop your acid now.
Posted by: SG | June 30, 2009 at 11:45
Update: Swapped the YouTube embed for Vimeo, which seems to work fine in IE and Safari. If anyone has problems viewing it, let me know.
Posted by: David | June 30, 2009 at 13:53
Incredible. It's like a moving painting. I see flying monkeys!
Posted by: Anna | June 30, 2009 at 14:12
I spotted Sin City, Logan's Run, 2001, Return of the Jedi, Lord of the Rings and Flash Gordon. How did he get clearance for using all the film clips? It's brilliant BTW.
Posted by: James S | June 30, 2009 at 14:22
I saw the dancing oracle whatsits from 300.
Posted by: apotheosis | June 30, 2009 at 14:27
And who knew God was so buff?
Posted by: Anna | June 30, 2009 at 14:29
“How did he get clearance for using all the film clips?”
I couldn’t find any mention of how so many films were cleared. Given the sheer number involved, I’m guessing it’s one of those “grey areas” of which we do not speak.
Posted by: David | June 30, 2009 at 14:33
Would Fair Use cover something like that?
Posted by: apotheosis | June 30, 2009 at 14:55
I can't find General Zod...
Posted by: carbon based lifeform | June 30, 2009 at 15:40
“I can’t find General Zod...”
Zod, Non and Ursa are in the Phantom Zone – which is in purgatory, naturally. There are several of them, twinkling, around 1:15.
Posted by: David | June 30, 2009 at 15:47
Found. Thanks. I'm spending way too much time watching this.
Posted by: carbon based lifeform | June 30, 2009 at 15:58
OT,
You'll probably find this interesting/amusing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/theater/24play.html
Posted by: AntiCitizenOne | June 30, 2009 at 17:42
Thanks.
Posted by: David | June 30, 2009 at 18:01
Where is the Return of the Jedi reference at?...I keep missing it.
Posted by: Bill | June 30, 2009 at 20:46
Isn't that the Death Star (mk 2) near the beginning centre left?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DeathStar2.jpg
Posted by: James S | June 30, 2009 at 20:57
Stunning.
Posted by: Brian H | June 30, 2009 at 21:05
Ooh, the seven layers of hell. Ah, earth. Hmmm, is that Atlas doing macho stuff over there? Yay, heaven!
... actually, this is getting a bit boring. Does this lift have a channel changer? What's on the Discovery Channel?
Posted by: TimT | July 01, 2009 at 05:10
Very cool video
Posted by: mlrosty | July 01, 2009 at 16:26
Anyone else notice the buses escaping from the mall in Zack Synder's Dawn of the Dead remake?
And I'm sure Michael Jackson is in heaven.
Posted by: Anthony | July 01, 2009 at 19:31
Wow, It's stunning, great video!
Luigi Hanway
Posted by: boom lift | January 25, 2010 at 16:30