The Owl's Legacy Ep 06 - Mathematics, or the Empire Counts Back

Directed by Chris Marker

26 minutes / Color
French / English subtitles
Release: 2018
Copyright: 1989

“Historians say Utopia doesn’t exist. It does! It’s the geometric space where everything is proven.” --Michel Serres

There is a narrative about ancient Greece and math: That the Greeks invented mathematics as we know it, that men such as Pythagoras and Thales were its fathers, and that concepts including parallel lines and geometric shapes are universal and ahistorical.

After introducing us to this view, Marker sets about dismantling it—or at least questioning its universality and introducing much more uncertainty. Study of ancient Egyptian texts show mathematical concepts; algebra comes from the Arab world, and the nascent world of computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum mechanics are rooted in doubt and uncertainty.

Featuring fun math-themed animated segments, along with excerpts from a campy 1984 production in which a young woman in a dress that evokes ancient Greek style breathily explains mathematical concepts.

Other Ways to Watch

Individuals

Available online from:

Credits

A series by Chris Marker

RELATED TITLES

Episode 4 of renowned filmmaker Chris Marker's mythical masterpiece about the influence of Greek culture on our society. This episode explores the theme of "Nostalgia, or The Impossible Return".

Chris Marker | 2018 | 26 minutes | Color | French; German; English | English subtitles

Episode 5 of renowned filmmaker Chris Marker's mythical masterpiece about the influence of Greek culture on our society. This episode explores the theme of "Amnesty, or History on the March".

Chris Marker | 2018 | 26 minutes | Color | French; German; English | English subtitles

Chris Marker takes thirteen words of Greek origin that cover an array of subjects in order to find the ancient Greece that accompanies our thoughts, inspires our writers, influences our politics and ideals of beauty.

Chris Marker | 2018 | 338 minutes | Color | French; Greek; English | English subtitles