Scape-Mates

In Scape-Mates, Stoney Emshwiller employs an early analog video synthesizer known as the "Scan-i-mate" to create an electronic landscape filled with abstract and figurative elements. The film features colorized dancers that are chroma-keyed into a fluid, computer-animated environment, showcasing a groundbreaking approach to video art.

The documentary presents an architectural video space where frames proliferate within frames, and disembodied heads and hands interact with animated forms. Emshwiller's work highlights a witty interplay between the real and unreal, pushing the boundaries of video image-making. With its skillful manipulation of images and the articulation of a sculptural illusion, Scape-Mates introduced a new vocabulary for the medium, making it a significant piece in the evolution of video art.