A History of Microscopic Moving Images in Science and Culture

FAIN: FA-51980-05

Hannah Louise Landecker
Rice University (Houston, TX 77005-1827)

This book project examines the history of film in the life sciences, the use of microscopic images to transform viewers’ perceptions of their bodies, and the place of biological film in the broader development of cinema and film theory. The history of scientific film is understudied. This has led to a lack of recognition of its role in the formation of theoretical and critical responses to the film medium. The historical question of early twentieth century reception of new biological ideas through film is related to today. Ours is a time of renewed fascination with life and its technical manipulation, and images of cell and genes are increasingly prevalent in contemporary culture.