In class this week, we explored the Animation Art and Cinema presentation, which gave me a deeper understanding of how animation has developed over the years. It was interesting to see how animation started as a blend of social change, political revolutions, and new technology, shaping the way we view both art and cinema today.
Key Takeaways:
We learned about James Stuart Blackton, one of the early pioneers of animation. His work, like The Enchanted Drawing (1906) and Humorous Phases of a Funny Face (1907), showed how animation evolved from the artist being visible on screen to the drawings themselves becoming more independent. I found it fascinating how quickly animation shifted into its own medium, separate from traditional art forms.
Another important figure was Emile Cohl, who created one of the first French animated films, ‘Fantasmagorie’ (1908). This film stood out because of its chaotic transitions and quirky characters. It reminded me how early animators were not just telling simple stories but experimenting with the way characters interacted—sometimes in random, unpredictable ways.
We also learned how modernist movements looked at animation as a new and exciting art form that breaks away from traditional painting and realistic filmmaking. Animation allows for constant change, with characters and objects moving and transforming, which challenges the idea of fixed forms and permanence. This fits with modernist ideas of experimentation and pushing boundaries in art.
I was especially struck by how modernist movements like Dadaism and Futurism embraced animation. They used it to challenge the boundaries between high art and popular culture. This really opened my eyes to how animation isn’t just entertainment; it can also reflect deeper social and political issues.
The technological advances we discussed were also important. The introduction of the peg system by Raoul Barre and the use of clear acetate cels changed animation production by making it easier and faster. Mass communication was the main agenda for that period and therefore mass production became a top priority. This reminded me of the tools we use today, like Unreal Engine 5, which also streamline the creative process.
The avant-garde movement saw animation as a new way for artists to experiment with abstract shapes, flatness, space, and time in ways that traditional painting couldn’t. Many artists moved from painting to animation because it gave them more freedom to break away from classical art rules.
Movements like Futurism led the charge, using animation to explore political and ideological themes. This opened the door for Dada and Surrealism, which embraced film as a form of artistic expression, creating a strong connection between art and cinema.
These experiments influenced other movements like Fauvism and Cubism, inspiring them to explore bold colours and unusual perspectives. Ultimately, avant-garde artists used animation to push creative boundaries and challenge traditional ideas of art.
My Thoughts:
What really stood out to me was how animation broke down barriers between different art forms. Early animators, like Max Fleischer and Windsor McCay, were doing more than just creating fun cartoons—they were pushing the limits of technology, art, and storytelling.
I related this to my own work in Unreal Engine, especially when we discussed Walter Ruttmann’s Lichtspiel Opus 1. His idea of animation as “eye music” connected with what I’m trying to do in my projects—combine visuals with deeper themes to create an immersive experience that’s more than just realistic.
We then moved on to learning the basic vocabulary of art, being the elements and principles to understand the fundamentals clearly. Let’s take a brief look at them:
Principles –
- Rhythm: Indicates movement through the careful placement of repeated elements, creating a visual tempo or beat.
- Balance: Combines elements to achieve equilibrium or stability, with major types being symmetrical and asymmetrical.
- Emphasis (Contrast): Stresses the differences between elements to draw attention.
- Proportion: Refers to the relationship of elements to the whole and to each other.
- Gradation: Uses a series of gradual changes in elements, such as size or colour, to create depth.
- Harmony: Combines similar elements to accentuate their similarities, often through repetition and subtle changes.
- Variety: Focuses on diversity or contrast by using different shapes, sizes, and colours in the artwork.
- Movement: Creates the look and feeling of action, guiding the viewer’s eye throughout the piece.
Elements –
- Line: An element defined by a point moving in space; it can be two- or three-dimensional and may be descriptive, implied, or abstract.
- Shape: A two-dimensional element that has height and width, used to define positive and negative areas and create a sense of depth in artwork.
- Form: A three-dimensional element that encloses volume, incorporating height, width, and depth, which can be geometric (like cubes and spheres) or free-flowing.
- Value: The lightness or darkness of tones or colours, with white as the lightest value, black as the darkest, and middle grey as the midpoint.
- Colour: Composed of three properties:
- Hue: The name of the colour.
- Value: The lightness or darkness of the hue, affected by the addition of white or black.
- Intensity: The brightness and purity of a colour, where high intensity means a strong and bright colour, and low intensity indicates a faint and dull colour.
- Texture: Refers to how things feel or appear to feel when touched, contributing depth and interest to artwork.
Together, the elements and principles provide us with the tools to express ideas and emotions effectively, making art a powerful medium for communication and exploration. Understanding these concepts not only deepens our appreciation of art but also inspires us to experiment and innovate in our own creative practices.
We also took a look at The Golden Ratio, a very powerful tool in art as well as animation that helps to create balanced and harmonious art works.
- Composition and Balance: The Golden Ratio can guide artists in composing their works. By dividing the canvas or using the ratio to determine the placement of focal points, artists can achieve a natural flow and visual balance, making the artwork more engaging.
- Natural Forms: The Golden Ratio is often found in nature, such as in the spiral patterns of shells and galaxies. We may be able to use these naturally occurring proportions to create pieces that resonate with viewers on a subconscious level.
This week’s exploration of Animation Art and Cinema deepened my understanding of animation’s evolution in response to social change and technology. The connections to modernist movements highlight animation’s role in challenging norms.
As we prepare for the next class, I’m eager to learn more about avant-garde movements and their influence on contemporary art and animation.