2014 marked the centenary of the birth of internationally renowned experimental filmmaker Norman McLaren (1914-1987), who began making films in the mid-1930s whilst a student of Interior Design and Art at The Glasgow School of Art (GSA), where he was a founding member of GSA’s Kinecraft Society.

To contribute to the McLaren 2014 Festival, GSA presented two events, the first of which was a screening of all four of McLaren’s surviving student films: Seven Till Five (1933) provides fascinating insight into the practices and rituals that comprised an average day in the iconic Mackintosh Building; Camera Makes Whoopee (1935) depicts the GSA’s Annual Carnival Ball and displays many pioneering animation techniques for which McLaren became best known; Polychrome Phantasy (1935) is an early example of experimental dance film; while Hell Unlimited (1936), an anti-war film that McLaren co-directed with fellow student Helen Biggar (1909-1953), demonstrates his nascent interest in political film. These films, made prior to McLaren’s professional filmmaking career, feature the themes and formal experimentation that would permeate his entire oeuvre.

The screening had live accompaniment by the acclaimed Glasgow Improviser’s Orchestra (GIO), which comprises twenty-six highly accomplished professional musicians who collectively and individually make significant contributions to the cultural economy of Scotland. Key members include university professors, research academics, composers, internationally respected community musicians, music therapists and artists from complementary disciplines.

The event was introduced by Dr Sarah Smith and followed by a Q&A with members of GIO.