The Heart Beat (1975)

A piece of white paper with “IMAI” typed on its surface is placed on top of a paper cone speaker, which emits the recorded sound of Imai’s heartbeat. As the iron coil fixed to the inner part of the speaker vibrates back and forth, the piece of white paper flips up and down, as if it has a life of its own. This work demonstrates Imai’s desire to visualize the sound created by an inner organ that one is usually not conscious of hearing.

Director: Norio Imai
Runtime: 10 min
Release Date:
Country: Japan
Language: 日本語
Original Language: ja
More Films by Director: Norio Imai

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Heart Beat about?
A piece of white paper with “IMAI” typed on its surface is placed on top of a paper cone speaker, which emits the recorded sound of Imai’s heartbeat. As the iron coil fixed to the inner part of the speaker vibrates back and forth, the piece of white paper flips up and down, as if it has a life of its own. This work demonstrates Imai’s desire to visualize the sound created by an inner organ that one is usually not conscious of hearing.
Who directed The Heart Beat?
The Heart Beat was directed by Norio Imai.
How long is The Heart Beat?
The Heart Beat has a runtime of 10m (10 minutes).
Where was The Heart Beat produced?
The Heart Beat was produced in Japan.