Young Faces of the American Civil War

Somehow we expect their faces to be different, not so staggeringly modern looking.  Place them in contemporary clothing and all of these young men would not look out of place in a mall or a high school yearbook. Yet these extraordinary ambrotype and tintype photographs were taken during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Over 160 years separates their lives from our own yet their youthful faces retain a powerful resonance and an immediacy which brings that dreadful conflict feel strikingly close to us..

Who were these young men? What sort of lives did they live during and (one hopes) after the Civil War? The names of many of the young men pictured here are unknown; their fates a mystery. Yet despite the century and a half gap between their careful posing for the camera, some can still be identified. Astonishingly, names can still be discovered, as well as insight in to their character and personality.

Space Bound

This is probably one of the happiest animations I have seen, ever, on the subject of imminent death. Space Bound essentially asks the question if you knew you were going to die in the very near future then how would you choose to spend your last moments? It’s a beautifully optimistic short despite the fact that there isn’t a rescue ship in sight at the end and its jollity somewhat belies the fact that our two protagonists are not too long for (out of) this world.

Yet even so this is not a story about the end but about the journey one chooses to take on the way there.

Space Bound was created by animator Kyle Moy and 3D artist Ellen Su who are both senior at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Here’s a suggestion for when you graduate, Kyle and Ellen – don’t bother with a résumé – just send out Space Bound with your email addresses.

The Boy with a Camera for a Face

This modern day parable says an awful lot about the way many of us live our lives today.  A boy is born but instead of a face he has a camera.  He inadvertently records every moment of his life and, as you will see, this has its ups and downs.  Written and directed by Spencer Brown and brilliantly narrated by Steven Berkoff this is both the story of a boy and a culture all at once.

Raindrops Keep Falling

Here in London the weather is just miserable at the moment with very little respite from the drizzle and the grey sky. So when I came across this photograph by Brandon Christopher Warren it seemed an appropriate choice for today’s picture - although the discrete caption says nothing seems to fit the photograph, with the rain and the umbrella with the inclusion of the balloon just fit my mood exactly!  Brandon’s photostream over at Flickr is full of interesting shots so go get a coffee and visit it!

The Adventures of a Cardboard Box

This reminds me of when I was a small child.  Although I do not remember the incident, my parents reminded me of it so much it seems like a memory.  My brother and I were given our Christmas presents in large cardboard boxes.  We opened the presents, played with them a short time and then played with the cardboard boxes for the rest of the day.

This film by Studiocanoe which was made for the Nokia Shorts 2011 competition reminded me of those days so much. It tells the story of a boy who meets and befriends a large cardboard box, and was shot on a Nokia N8. This film shows one of the many reasons I encourage my friends to simply give their kids a cardboard box for Christmas. Hey, times are hard!

Machu Picchu Post

Machu Picchu Post is a short 3D film made at Supinfocom Arles in 2008 by Clement Crocq, Margaux Durand-Rival and Nicolas Novali.

This is the story of the unexpected meeting between a young peruvian boy living with his lama and a pilot from the airmail service flying above the boy's house.

When a few letters fall from the plane it leads to some rather unexpected results - and the ride of his life for the pilot!

Prisoner 4100

Image Credit Flickr User National Archives UK

This miserable looking little boy is Prisoner 4100.  The picture was taken in 1872 after his arrest for stealing rabbits.  Young George Davey as he was known was ten years old.  He was sentenced to a month’s hard labour. If he were still alive today he would be 149 years old.