I am looking forward to more exposure to viral videos like these. A lot of the ones I have previously been exposed to are either a) not art/science related or b) not animated so I am anticipating exploring out of my comfort/familiarity zone with videos like Water Printer, Sand Beasts, BINGO and RYAN.
There was something very whimsical I found about the Water Printer that attracted me to it - almost like something seen at Walt Disney's Epcot Center. Part of the gimmick/appeal to Epcot Center is the forward-thinking ideals (primarily globalization, science and technology) that are infused into the the actual landscape of the park as well as its attractions. The Water Printer although impressive watching on video, I'm sure would be captivating in person and I could easily imagine something like this being found at an American amusement park such as Disney's Epcot Center.
The fusion of art, innovation, technology and something natural like water created an interesting juxtaposition as a form of "New Media" which is also explored in the Sand Beasts video. The Sand Beasts, which Jansen explains were inspired by dinosaurs and evolution, feed off the energy of wind to power them physically. Watching the Sand Beasts move fluidly on screen in a natural setting evoked in me grandiose prehistoric scenes from Spielberg's Jurassic Park.
I really enjoyed the surrealist imagery and non-traditional narrative of both BINGO and RYAN. Both films induced a feeling of uncomfort, frustration, and sadness for me, which I think speaks volumes about their ability to communicate well with the viewer. Generally, I associate animated films with lightness and comedy (although I think Up and Walle both had some darkness and depth to them, especially for children's films) so it was refreshing to contrast animated short films with (in the case of RYAN) more "adult" topics.
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I agree with how BINGO and RYAN induce feelings of discomfort, frustration and sadness, because that is precisely what I felt. Very few normal films were able to evoke those types of emotions, at least for me, and these animations were only a few minutes long!!
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Very true, digital animation is rarely used for adult purposes, at least not in main stream culture. I loved the initial shock I was given by the film's aesthetic because the feeling carried me through the rest of it with a feeling of wonder and appreciation that made the experience that much more stimulating.
ReplyDeleteI had trouble with the animations mostly because of the ridiculous resemblance to the animation used in the original Sims. Which was also billed as a computer game for adults. Hm.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how something as abstract as RYAN or BINGO can deeply affect its audience. It definitely speaks to the inadequacies of relating the human experience through traditional representation.
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