Center for Visual Music

Flashback: CVM did a Jordan Belson room in an exhibition about Psychedelia at Raven Row, London, with 3 films looped. Installation shots here are from World and Seance; Chakra also screened. World was photochemically restored from Jordan's original 16mm a/b/c rolls; later we finished the restoration on Chakra, also from his a/b/c rolls. Visit our Belson research site (created with Jordan's input and permission) for more about his films, our restorations, a filmography, bibliography, etc. CVM is the only organization with restored films approved by Belson (other than a few copies we placed in other archives); we worked with him for 13 years restoring his work, and producing projects for him.

“Jordan Belson, Vortex Concerts and the Origins of Expanded Cinema,” CVM’s virtual seminar returns June 11. What’s the real story of the 1950s Vortex Concerts in Morrison Planetarium? How did they originate? What kind of visuals did Belson use? Our seminar explores the history of the Vortex Concerts and their influence, Belson’s own film work before and after Vortex, key moments in the origins of Expanded Cinema, 1920s-1960s, and more. Beginning June 11, limited enrollment.

Five weekly zoom sessions include illustrated talks by curator/archivist Cindy Keefer, who worked with Belson for years restoring and exhibiting his films, screenings of related Belson films and rare works, plus archival materials. Keefer interviewed Belson extensively about Vortex, plus Henry Jacobs and others. You’ll also see documentation footage of CVM’s reconstruction of Oskar Fischinger’s 1926 multiple projector cinematic performances called Raumlichtkunst, an early attempt at an immersive environment and expanded cinema.

Much incorrect info has been spread over years about Vortex, beware online sources especially. Jordan didn’t screen his films at Vortex. They were not a weekly series, or a late night weekend event (that’s Laserium), for example. The planetarium didn’t have 100 speakers, there were 38. Jordan didn’t receive much money from Vortex (less than $1000 in 1958). Henry Jacobs didn’t play any John Cage compositions as some claim (confirmed by Jacobs to Keefer). Join us, learn the facts about these spactacular and groundbreaking events. Limited enrollment, link in comments.