Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman

Subject

Narrated by Dustin Hoffman, Visual Acoustics is a documentary film that explores the life and career of the architectural photographer Julius Shulman, who died at age 98 in 2009. Shulman was widely considered to be the world's greatest and most well-known architectural photographer. The film highlights his iconic photos which were frequently populated with human models and striking landscapes, often combining the organic with the synthetic and melding nature with contemporary design. The film highlights how these images shaped the careers of some of the great architects of the 20th Century, notably Richard Neutra, John Lautner and the Case Study Architects. His iconic image of Case Study House #22 is one of the most well-known and widely distributed photographs of Modernist architecture. Still working until his death, Shulman continued his celebration of modern architecture with striking images of the work of modern greats like Frank Gehry. His work in particular brought Southern California Modernism to life and made modern architecture accessible to many. His larger than life personality was a driving force in his work and in this film. Exploring Shulman's art and uniquely creative life, Visual Acoustics forges an all-encompassing portrait of Modernism's most eloquent ambassador.

Critical response

Variety's Robert Koehler writes in his review:"The modernist ethic receives its due in "Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman." Eric Bricker's handsome, functional if not very cinematic tribute to Shulman emphatically argues for his place as the most important of architecture photographers, and the person who has directly conveyed the titular style to a wider public. Something of a missionary statement for a missionary, this is nirvana for lovers of mid-century modern and fine-art photography, and a solid bet for wide-ranging and specialty fests along with arts-oriented cablers..." and

Shulman, now 97, is responsible for photographing many of the mod masterpieces in meticulous detail, particularly in the movement's Southern California epicenter. As the film helpfully explains, Shulman's eye for one-point perspective (though not noted here, a considerable influence on Stanley Kubrick's films from "Paths of Glory" on) accommodated the style's emphasis on open, airy space; long, geometrical lines; panoramic use of glass and windows; and the visual blending of exterior earth and sky with interior comfort zones."

Review Aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 94% of reviewers gave the film positive reviews, based on 17 reviews and with an average score of 7 out of 10 and reports that the average audience rating was 3.5 out of 5.

Production credits