‘Glorious Visions’ is
an animation that was performed by Miwa Matreyek at TEDglobal in 2010. Using
projections and her own silhouette, Miwa casts shadows to create a relaxing and
meditational piece that can take us away from the distractions around us that
keep us from making our own discoveries in life.
Describe:
Write what you see
(the visual facts).
•
List the literal objects in the animation (trees, people,
animals, mountains, rivers, etc.).
•
What do you notice first when you watch the animation? Why?
•
What kinds of colours do you see? How would you describe them?
•
What shapes can you see? What kind of edges do the shapes have?
•
What is the overall visual effect or mood of the work?
When I first watched
this film, I thought it was one of the most clever things I had ever seen.
Previously I would have never imagined that by using projectors, film could be
created behind and in front of moving silhouettes. The whole effect was so
calming and from the several times I’ve watched the film now, it never fails to
impress me. Every time I watch it, I still seem to notice something new that I
had not seen before.
The literal objects in
the animation included:
- Fruits/vegetables (apple, lemon, lettuce)
- People/different body parts (eg, hands)
- Animals (fish, birds, fish, bear, whale, dears,
cat)
- Butterflies
- Fire
- Plant life
- Night and daytime sky (stars, comets, moon,
clouds, sun)
- Ocean (including ocean life like fish and a
whale)
- Rain
- Bird’s nest with egg inside
- Rainbow
All of these objects
had similar shapes and colours. First of all, because they are all natural
objects, instead of the shape being abstract and jerky, it was more smooth and
organic. The colours were also natural. So mainly reds, blues, greens, yellows,
blacks, browns were used. The natural and organic effect of the objects, shapes
and colours of the animation help to give the film a very relaxing,
meditational and reflective mood that leaves you in a peaceful state.
Analyse:
Mentally separate the
parts or elements, thinking in terms of textures, shapes/forms, light/dark or
bright/dull colours, types of lines, and sensory qualities. In this step
consider the most significant art principles that were used in the animation.
Describe how the artist used them to organize the elements.
•
How has the artist used colours in the work?
•
What sort of effect do the colours have on the animation?
•
How has the artist used shapes within the work of animation?
•
How has the artist used light in the work? Is there the illusion
of a scene with lights and shadows, or does the artist use light and dark
values in a more abstract way?
•
How has the overall visual effect or mood of the work been
achieved by the use of elements of art and principles of design.
The artist has used
many elements, shapes, colours and sensory qualities to create the film
‘Glorious Visions.’ The name pretty much speaks for itself because as you
watch, the visions of the film really are glorious!
The artist has used
many colours in this piece of work such as whites, reds, oranges, yellows,
greens, blues, purples, browns and blacks, all quite organic colours. Even in
the city scene, due to the fact it’s nighttime, there are no bright ‘in your
face’ types of colours. Mainly deep blues and blacks are portrayed, with
scattered yellow/white colours in the windows and on lights of buildings as
well as for the stars in the sky. The more bold and natural colours used in the
film have a very profound effect on the film. When the viewers see the calming
colours, their brain also reacts and becomes calm as well, adding to the
overall relaxing mood the film portrays. Similar to the colours, the shapes are
also quite organic as most of the scenes involve natural objects like plants,
animal life, the night sky and of course Miwa’s silhouette. Once again, the
natural shapes of these objects have a profound effect on the calming mood of
the film.
The artist has very
cleverly put their illusion skills into action, using lights and shadows to
blur the line between real and unreal. Having Miwa position herself in between
projectors for the foreground and background film, she was able to cast
silhouettes of her own body onto the screens, making it appear to the viewers
that she was actually in and controlling the film. What we usually see on
television and movies is contradicted; as instead of filming a person act out a
role, Miwa performed live using silhouettes of her body creating an abstract
film. All these elements of art and principles of design have a large overall
impact on the visual effect and mood of the work, being achieved by using
natural colour schemes, organic shapes, and illusions of lights and shadows.
The film has a very calming effect on viewers due to these aspects. It removes
the distractions, stressful and anxious emotions day-to-day life may bring us.
Interpretation:
An interpretation
seeks to explain the meaning of the work based on what you have learned so far
about the animation, what do you think the artist was trying to say?
•
Was the artist making a statement in this work? What was the
Statement?
•
What do you think it means?
•
What does it mean to you? How does this relate to you and
your life?
•
What feelings do you have when looking at this animation?
•
Do elements within the animation represent other things/symbols?
•
Why do you think that the artist chose to use this style of
animation and make these kinds of artistic decisions?
I think the artist was
trying to make a statement about just how beautiful earth and nature is, and
how everything in the universe works together to make things happen. For
example, in the scene where Miwa’s body silhouette acted as an island for a
little person, so many animals and natural forces were working together just
like they would in everyday life to keep this planet sustainable.
Examples of this:
- The island (Miwa’s body) was a little home for
the person, with shelter from trees and a barrier against the ocean’s forces.
- A comet fell from the sky and onto the island,
creating a fire for the person to keep them warm and safe.
- The person on the island made a small shelter out
of the trees that grew.
- The fish provided Miwa (the island) and the
passing birds with food.
To me, the statements
that I think are being portrayed in this film help me to reflect on how we
shouldn’t be destroying our Earth with fossil fuels. Instead we should all work
together to create alternatives so our planet can continue to thrive just how
it has for the past billions of years. It also makes me feel at peace with
myself, tranquil and some how relieved as the calming music, colours, filming
techniques and interesting storyline all combine to relax and help me remember
to not worry about all of the little issues in my life that I more often than
not mistaken for major problems. I think the intention the artist once had for
the film’s outcome has been successfully achieved. Their artistic decisions
have definitely made an impact on me and have helped me to interpret hidden
messages.
Judgment:
After careful
observation, analysis, and interpretation of an animation, you are ready to
make your own judgment. This is your personal evaluation based on the
understandings of the work. Here are questions you might consider:
•
Do you think this work has underlying value or worth?
•
What value have you found in the work? (For example, is it
a beautiful work of art, does it convey an important social message, affect the
way that people see the world, make insightful connections, reaffirms a
religious belief, etc.)
•
Do you think that the work has a meaning for others?
•
Do you feel that the work communicates an idea, feeling or
principle that would have value for others?
•
Explore your criticism of the work as much as you would any
positive perceptions. Realize that your own tastes and prejudices may enter
into your criticism. Give your positive and negative perceptions.
I think this work
definitely had underlying value and worth. It is such a creative film that
would have taken a lot of time and thought to put together. It isn’t just a
wonderful and insightful film to watch, it also conveys important messages (as
I mentioned before) to viewers, and affects how people see the world. People of
all ages can have different interpretations that will affect them in one way or
another. Once they watch the film they can see the world as a planet with so
much beauty. The only sad thing is that the human race is slowly killing the
planet due to all the fossil fuels being released into the air. It makes us
feel for the planet, and can remind us to always turn off lights when we leave
rooms, recycle our rubbish and use our electricity sparingly to help slow down
our impacts on global warming. Even though these are just small adjustments, if
everyone contributes the planet can slowly become a more sustainable and
environmentally friendly place.
I probably couldn’t
point out a flaw in this film. I thought it was really amazing and whenever I
watch it my opinion never changes.
The only flaw I would
be able to point out was that sometimes Miwa’s silhouettes were a little bit
off as she moved just a bit too early or a tad to late. Except this only
happened once or twice so it didn’t really have an impact on the overall
film.
Glorious Visions is
such a peacefully relaxing and meditational film to watch. It can take us away
from our busy lives and let us just focus on the calming music and story line,
and the intriguing way Miwa uses her silhouette in such graceful precision.
Bibliography
Miwa Matreyek:
Glorious Visions in Animation and Performance | Video on TED.com, http://www.ted.com/talks/miwa_matreyek_s_glorious_visions.html,
(17/10/13)
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