The Oregon Women's Report - Women's News from Oregon

May 26, 2009

by Cathy Rae Smith
founder of Culture Magazine

Recently working on a presentation for “Creation of the Other,” I dug deeply into the art form of film. I decided to focus on one filmmaker to illustrate this point, that being Steven Spielberg. Imagine the host of images he has created with such films as Jaws (1975), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), E.T. (1982), Jurassic Park (1993), Schindler’s List (1993), and A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), to cite but a few of the memorable films by this prolific and iconic filmmaker.

This fanned the flames of contemplation regarding the age old debate of whether society influences mass media or if, in reality, it is the other way around. We could take off on a variety of tangents discussing this topic. However, placing focus on imagery, I readily conjure up thoughts of films that have a left a lasting imprint on me for visual sumptuousness. I think about the Snow Dance scene in Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) where the imagery spells magic to me. I also envision the lovely Givenchy fashions paraded by Audrey Hepburn in such films as Roman Holiday (1953) and Sabrina (1954). Visual cues are certainly taken by what the media presents and films have long been (since the turn of the twentieth century) the perfect vehicle as a comparatively inexpensive escape from the usual routine of life.

I am very moved by visual imagery, especially if it is elegant, graceful, and sophisticated. Care to share what has captured your attention and how that has influenced your look?