Capitol Symmetry by Neil Ira Needleman

Best described by Needleman himself, the video “is totally about symmetry. First, the subject matter is symmetrical: the Capitol Plaza in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Second, I flipped the footage on itself, so the scenes in the frame are symmetrical: the left and right halves perfectly mirror each other. Third, the temporal structure of the video is symmetrical: rhythmic, slowly overlapping scenes progress to the midway point (the only calm moment in the video) and then they flow in reverse to the beginning (now the end). Fourth, in the second half of the video, a deeper level of symmetry is added when the top half of the frame and bottom half begin to mirror each other, in addition to the left right symmetry. This forms a pulsating kaleidoscopic effect that is either the apotheosis of symmetry or a satire of it. Or perhaps both.”

For more information about Needleman and his work, visit his website.