Why Man Creates is a 1968 animated documentary film directed by Saul Bass. The film explores the nature of creativity and the process of creation through a series of humorous and thought-provoking vignettes.
The film features a mix of animation styles, from hand-drawn sketches to stop-motion and collage, and combines these with live-action footage and interviews. The film also features a haunting musical score by Quincy Jones.
Why Man Creates is divided into seven sections, each exploring a different aspect of creativity and innovation. The sections are titled: The Edifice, Fooling Around, The Process, Judgment, A Parable, Digression, and The Search.
In The Edifice, the film explores the structures humans have created, from towering skyscrapers to bridges that span great distances, and the drive to construct bigger and better structures.
Fooling Around explores the role of playfulness and humor in the creative process, and The Process delves into the methods different types of creators use when bringing an idea to life. Judgment examines the power dynamics in the world of art and production.
A Parable is a satirical take on the biblical story of Adam and Eve, while Digression explores the idea of tangential thinking and how it can lead to creative breakthroughs. Finally, The Search questions the motivations behind human creation, asking whether it is for artistic expression, utility, or fame and recognition.
Overall, Why Man Creates is a witty and visually stunning exploration of the nature of creativity that both celebrates and critiques the industrial system.