Selected Abstracts

Metamorphosis in Animation: Shape shifting in time, space and form.

Due to new technology and new exhibiting venues, experimental animation is experiencing a rebirth and opens up new possibilities for animated metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is one of the most important aspects of animation that engenders works by artists. Commonly referred to as morphing, the ability to change one object into another, or shift forms through time and space has great potential for artistic expression. Good examples abound, but this paper will concentrate on some films from the 70s and 80s when animation as an experimental medium flourished. The authors own film, "Subway People," merges line drawings of subway commuters into individual portraits. Ryan Larkins' fantastical characters playfully shape shift in "Street Musique." Sara Pettys', "Furies," dissolves the frenetic motion of two cats into abstract spatial dimensions. In "Diagram Film," Paul Glabicki deconstructs movie frames into moving geometric shapes, lines, and points. One of the first computer animations using vector Computer Graphics was Peter Foldes', "Hunger," where the narrative elements are constructed and reconstructed into a melodramatic end. The circular motion of a mothers' repetitive work gives new meaning to the narrative in Caroline Leafs', "The Street." Will Vintons', "The Great Cognito," demonstrates why clay is still a wonderful morphing medium.


Filmography cont...

"Currants Caprice" by Steve Eagle 1982.. ..."Frank Film" by Frank Mouris with sound track by Tony Schwartz.. ..."Frogs Eye View" by Skip Battaglia.. ..."The Man Who Planted Trees" by Frederick Back.. ..."Reasons to be Glad" by Achzger Scheer.. ..."The Street" by Caroline Leaf.. ..."Swiss Army Knife with Rats and Pidgeons" by Robert Breer.. ..."Sound Collector" by Lynn Smith.. ..."Voices" by Joanna Priestly.. ..."Walking" by Ryan Larkin..



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