Animation, Art, and Other Shiny Things
It’s Monday. This short seems appropriate.
A character tries to out-think the box.
This is stop-motion animation at it’s finest. The simple loose-jointed manikin is expressive and exudes concentration and exasperation trying to solve the puzzle. Even the background, the smooth grey walls and the light, are characters.
This short reminds me a lot of Balance, an Oscar winning short in 1989. Some for the character(s) and setting style, but more for the eloquence of movement in reacting to the environment.
Written and directed by Michal Struss.
Another animation test from Sam Fennah, and a worthy one for a day-after-FNMV music video. This one features Yeshua performing Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode.
More info in my previous posts of Fennah’s videos.
Take one homicidal cat given side-scroller game inspirations, add an atmosphere of smoky electro-swing, and this is what you get.
Song by Cazzette.
A short film about discovering the things that make life worth living. A pigeon meets a dove and faces the decision on whether or not to leave the life he has built for himself in favor of following his heart.
The bird models are great! What more can I say? A classic pigeon-meets-dove, pigeon-loses-dove, pigeon-finds-dove love story played by characters that make me giggle. (yes, giggle. i’m not too proud to admit it)
Created by Jake Wegesin, music by Jordan Ruiz
Mitch loves Key Lime Pie and will do whatever it takes to get it in this hard-bitten noir. Even Death offering a slice as Mitch’s last meal won’t deter him from eating that final triangular bit of rich, citrusey, goodness.
The story, the feel, the narration, and the nod to early-60s animation, combine for a top-notch short film. Animated by Trevor Jimenez
Yet another adventure from the hapless assistants of Doctor Albert. In this short tale the pair are afflicted with a broken air conditioner in a sweltering lab. Fortunately, as Dr Albert is a brilliant scientist there must be something laying around that can help…
Animated by Kyungmin Woo.
The only thing better than a proper comeuppance, is the unexpected opportunity to serve that proper comeuppance.
Directed by Mike Klim, Stanley Moore, Dominic Pallotta, and Mikey Sauls. The soundtrack was composed by Andy Brick and performed by the Filmharmonic of Prague. All of that took place with the help of Ringling College of Art + Design (a favorite around here.)
Lil’ Grim Reaper. Who knew Death Itself could be so cute?
I don’t recall where on the internets I came across the Lil’ Grim Reaper, but I recognized it immediately when I read an article on local Seattle artist Vikram Madan. I also recognized one of his Mini-Murals I’d seen on the back of a street sign here in Seattle.
To describe his work as whimsical is correct, however would be off by a magnitude or three. Mr Madan’s work makes you want to invite the monster under the bed and the skeletons in your closet out for a spot of tea and a heart to heart chat.
Happy Dancing Robots. Probably my favorite of Mr Madan’s work.
Granted, some of the character models do remind me a bit of the “Love is…” comics of the 1970s, but the situations and stylish rendering absolves all. And Mr Madan really pushes the limits of his style, including in materials and venues.
One of those venues is Public Art. Park murals, utility boxes, poles and pianos. Even the edge of the stairs to a dance studio. Mr Madan has brightened up a lot of things and places around the greater-Seattle area.
Attack of the Space Needles. Fell in love with it and picked up this print. I will never look at the Needle the same way again, and I see it almost every day.
I have a love for street art. In planning for my upcoming trip to the UK this summer, I’ve got a full day in Bristol (home of Banksy) and a half-day scouting London’s street art. Mr Madan’s public art is a great addition to Seattle’s flourishing art culture.
Mr Madan’s public stuff is close enough to me that I can just stop by when I’m in the area and cover them all pretty easily after a fashion. I’m looking forward to it.
To learn more about Seattle artist Vikram Madan, check out the great article by Lisa Edge over at RealChange, or stop off at Mr Madan’s website. If you do that, I warn you, expect to spend some time. Trust me, it’s worth it.
As with The Royal Nightmare, there is a lot going on in Alex Budovskiy’s animations – and there’s always a curveball about to be thrown. Inspire it with a driving, swingy-bop tune by (The Real) Tuesday Weld and you’ve got a multi-award winner. Literally. That it is sung by cuckoos is just icing on the cake.
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