Critical Function Workshop - April 2

Critical Function workshop is excited to announce a mock job talk with Meghan Romano on Thursday, April 2^nd from 3:00-5:00 PM in Innis 222E. The abstract for Meghan's talk— “Charles Eames, Cinema, and Infrastructure at the ‘Crossroads of the World’”—is below. Right after, there will be a catered meal for those that attend in Innis 223E!

There is no paper to read, but please RSVP here so we can keep track of the number of attendees. 

We hope everyone will join us not only in preparing our colleague for the next step in her academic journey but also celebrating all her hard work and the accomplishments she  achieved at the Cinema Studies Institute!

Abstract:

“Charles Eames, Cinema, and Infrastructure at the ‘Crossroads of the World’” 

Previously a “jumping-off” point for pioneering aviators of the Golden Age like Amelia Earhart, Newfoundland and Labrador has been an essential crossroads for transatlantic aviation for much of the twentieth century. When the fascist Italian general Italo Balbo had joyride there en route to and from the 1933 Chicago’s World’s Fair to when members of the Communist Bloc refuelled at Gander Airport in the 1970s and 80s, media played an essential part in producing, documenting, and negotiating this evolving role that I collectively term “midway modernism.” In my talk, I will focus on just one of the many instances of the crossroads: where the forces of modernization and modernism intersect at mid-century in Billy Wilder’s 1957 The Spirit of St. Louis, a biopic of Charles Lindbergh who made the first nonstop flight from New York to Paris in 1927. I examine the film stylistic techniques, such as colour, alongside production photographs of the film taken by Charles Eames, who served as a second unit director for the film, to demonstrate how Newfoundland is positioned from above and below as a dynamic crossroads for technological development and mid-century modernist aesthetics and design. 

We are committed to making cf. an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If there is anything we can do to facilitate or support your participation, or if you have questions or concerns, please email Thomas Quist (t.quist@mail.utoronto.ca) or Lawrence Garcia (lawrence.garcia@mail.utoronto.ca).

Hope to see you there,

The cf. Team