Inanimate 48 April 2020 Submissions

Winner

Natalie Miles- This Object, My Object

From the artist:

“I wanted to play with the idea of ‘weight-bearing’.
Technically, I do not put weight on my object the whole time, but in the world in which this video was made, I do. It could be seen as a ‘magic’ chair, but I like to think of it more as a chair that opens your mind to things that are seemingly impossible, but aren’t. Breaking down walls inside the mind, if you will. It could exist in the same universe as The Matrix.
I have been playing with stop motion video while in quarantine but this is the most difficult and longest one I have tried so far. This video was filmed in two takes (although many tries before I got to this point), on my bedroom floor.”

A little treat for your brain! A stop-motion piece that features beautiful movement as well as fun mind-melting moments that defy the laws of physics. Charming, quirky, sweet and magical. A lighthearted piece that will nonetheless get stuck in your brain.

Absolutely magical. I LOVE how this film references conventions of aerial movement but manages to make the “impossible” feats of the form both transparent illusion AND somehow more surreal and magical. I am curious for more. This expanded my concept of this aerial beyond physical achievement and made the most of the film format to do something new. Delightful.

Truly awesome play of stop-motion technique and storytelling! I loved how your story progressed, starting small from the floating hair into more “magical” weightless feeling, it was really captivating to watch and every second something unexpected happened! I think I saw a small technical error when the chair slightly moved out of space, but it absolutely doesn’t take away from your whole concept and storyline. Perhaps the ending could have been a bit longer (less abrupt) for example to leave the foot in frame and let it more slowly “drift” up.
I could tell from your facial expression you had a lot of fun creating this one. I would love to see you create more with this technique!

Honorable Mentions

Emily Sanderson: I am

Received 3 honorable mentions

A enthralling abstract meditation on seasons, moods, self, and change that brings wonder at every turn. Choreography that pulls a single thread through changes of place, clothing, apparatus, and weather. Quietly joyful, fully delightful.

I really appreciate the effort going into this piece, I imagine it must have taken a lot of time to record all the movement combos with different sets of clothing! I interpretated your storyline as one of a woman who moves through different stages in life, experiencing various encounters as she continues to grow. Perhaps the ending of the piece could have been more captivating if there were to be a conclusion or “question mark” to the story, or perhaps an eternal change of clothes? Anyhow, thanks for creating this piece of art!

Intriguing. It asked me to consider how multifaceted we are as people–and what we hide; what we reveal. Costuming and location choices were so effective. I took away a sense of wholistic integration and acceptance.

Nick Ng: Iso

Received 3 honorable mentions

Stunning and powerful, a piece that draws on normally taboo camera angles and movement, combined with intense choreography and sound, to great effect in telling a story of isolation, fear, anxiety and frustration. An incredible expression of this moment, masterfully told.

Thank you for this piece – I truly felt the emotion coming through! The way the cameras captured the different angles like when you try to “reach” for the bars or when it films from aboves creates, to me personally, a really emotional state. Also the wind blowing in your hair (perhaps accidentally) contributed to your storyline. It gave me an overall feeling of you trying to escape the earth and humanity, because the sky is so present in this piece. I also loved the eternal spinning in the end and the “look up” to the sky from the characters point of view, it made me wonder if the character survives in the end.

There’s a real perilousness to this film. The perspectives looking down call to mind skydiving footage and the manicured green below and suburban surroundings seem threatening in this context.

Veronica Chou

Received 3 honorable mentions

A transporting, dreamlike, cinematic piece that fully immerses you in the performer’s world, watching her revelation as if through a window. Stunning use of lighting and camera angles to impress upon the viewer a sense of longing, disorientation, and powerful emotion.

I unfortunately have never seen the handmaid’s tail, so I am really glad you described this bit in your storyline! The whole video had a great angle of shots, it felt like I was almost watching a professional film. I think the music fits the theme well, but perhaps I imagine the “caged” feeling in the beginning more intense. There were a lot of open movements on the floor (for example, the split, the reaching) which doesn’t necessarily bring me the caged feeling you describe in your storyline. However the pole had lots of open movements again which brought back the freedom theme. The ending transition to the woman standing on the grass was maybe made a bit fast for me because the last transition on the pole was a horizontal spin. Maybe it would have made more sense to “fall” from the frame and stand up in the next one? Anyhow, great creation!

Lighting, editing, costume and dance all came together to form a cohesive narrative. Well planned, well executed.

Bethel Lindsey

Received 2 honorable mentions

“I was smiling the whole time. Editing and transitions supported the whole energy of the piece. Several moments surprised me and I appreciated the direct gaze of the performer–it felt challenging to the viewer, inciting, and yes, fierce.“

“Your piece was so captivating to watch! The braveness and fierceness you describe in your storyline definitely came through in your facial expression and also was visible in your dynamic movement style and impressive flips! Perhaps for the storyline narrative, it could have been interesting to think from the character perspective and create a storyline from “her” point of view. For example, the “fierce woman” sees something across the room and tries to reach for it, while needing to cross the room with all those bars (so there is a “necessity” for your movement).
To conclude, I really enjoyed the clean camerawork and the choice of song was really fierce and perfect for the character with those lyrics!“

Evey

Received 2 honorable mentions

“A stunning dream, moody and warm. The performer is a glorious shapeshifting storyteller, spinning out a soft and tender story of longing that carries you along with the swelling music. Truly enchanting, with a surprise ending that will change your whole perspective.”

“Seriously affecting. The lighting felt like the glow of neon and gave the impression of a lurid broadway, but the gorgeous dance was sensitive, intimate, and subtle. The camera turn was so effective: I felt mentally riddled by the illusion, but the dance remained grounding.”

Hayley Dynamo: House Human

Received 2 honorable mentions

“I really loved the concept of this piece – a human being replaced in an object. The state of the window and the sunlight coming through gave me some chills and an emotional mindset! I loved the composition and the thoughts behind the piece. I feel the character could have been more “plant-like”, perhaps moving less at certain moments would have been more in line with the story.”

“Just lovely. Enjoyed the lighting and the props. The symbolism in the plant as a wild thing made domestic, cultivated, contained, but still vital was poignant right now. Use of gesture and perspective underscored the formal similarities between you and plant.”

Mykelle Walton and Chaz Gentry: Canopy

Received 2 honorable mentions

“First of all, I am impressed by the height of your dance (it looks like you are so high up in that tree!) I really loved the musicality in this piece, the way you used the “pause” breathing movement point in the music, but also I felt immediately touched by the contradiction of the storyline in the music and the completely opposite environment your character is in.
I interpreted the storyline as a character who lives in the city but was dreaming itself inside a forest, still somewhere stuck inside that dream in it’s regular repetitive movement circles and habits of life (that’s how I felt your repetitive movement combinations in the tree).
In the end when she is looking out over the city I wonder if she came back to reality or if she is still stuck in behind her canopy.
Overall really well done piece with great camera transitions and storytelling.”

“I enjoyed the visceral depiction of the roughness of the tree and the environment against the closeness of skin and vocalist’s refrain of “not so soft.” Impressively wild for a tree dance! The sense of inherent danger gave the piece a feral and bracing mood.”

Staza Stone

Received 2 honorable mentions

“So much fun to watch this piece! I really adored how you took time to introduce the character (complete with sunglasses and all!) and the crazy movement on your stilts that goes along with it. Perhaps there could have been a bit more thoughtful development in the storyline (what happens to the character and why is this happening to her?) Also I am really impressed this is all shot on an ancient phone! Well done.”

“A delightfully punk, lighthearted piece full of joy and wonder. The performer’s use of stilts felt more like a costuming choice than an apparatus, as they deftly spun, flipped, twirled and stomped around an urban playground of bars, poles, and steps. Surprising at every turn.”

Amy Myers: 4SEEABLE

Received 1 honorable mention

Lovely and intriguing time-lapse dance that feels like watching a spider spin a perfect web. Mesmerizing, meditative movement that plays with your mind.

Caroline Daniels: Coming Home

Received 1 honorable mention

A tender, powerful, unassuming piece that hits you right in the feels. Simply shot, with honest movement that moves the viewer through complex emotions so skillfully you’ll forget you’re watching a dance performance until it’s over. A story of anxiety, a love song to self, a shaking loose.

Elyria: neatfreAK47

Received 1 honorable mention

This piece was so entertaining to watch! The appearance of Ricky and his reaction to your cleaning created some really spontaneous moments. Also the camera angles made some interesting perspectives, like I was watching you cleaning from close by and could feel the sensation of the spray on my face! Perhaps there could have been a more “conclusion” to the piece (what happens to the cleaning lady?). That being said, the dog’s reaction at the end made me chuckle!

Bird’s Eye View Circus

Received 1 honorable mention

“Out of all the videos I watched, I thought this was one by far THE most original weight-bearing object I have seen somebody dance on. I really enjoyed all the effort put into your character expression, as well as the exploration of character in the tricks (licking the arm while hanging for example). Also the way you “found” the little feather and reacted to it like a real cat just made me smile, it was definitely my favorite moment in your performance! Also I really appreciate the ending of the story and the facial expression, as a viewer, I was really wondering after the video stopped “what is happening next to the cat?” Nothing but admiration for this piece!”

Johanna Nicol and Ashley Travieso: Cast Shadows

Received 1 honorable mention

“I enjoyed the visual references to ancient time-telling by the sun, and the implied question that comes from the piece’s title. The dance you created and the way you captured it made me consider how we inevitably affect those around us by blocking light. Even at a distance, our “shadow selves” can still reach one another.”

Little Birds of Esh and C3: Together Apart

Received 1 honorable mention

“Powerful. The multi-screen frames so effectively called attention to the synchronicity in your deep connections, which remain intact despite distance. Showing these new rituals–masks and sanitation wipes–contextualized this piece without over dramatizing the environment. This piece brought tears to my eyes.”

Reality Rose: Bitch I’m a Tractor

Received 1 honorable mention

“A riot from start to finish – a sassy cow seducing a farmer by dancing on his tractor!? Thoroughly creative, and creatively thorough in the use of every possible angle of the tractor for dancing. Hilarious character details, spectacular song choice. Entertainment and exploration at its best.”

Rachel Webberman: Walking in Place

Received 1 honorable mention

“Like a gasp of fresh, cold air in a stifling room. A time-bending, mind-melting piece that leaves the viewer feeling liberated. Beautifully bold use of an unassuming treadmill to create impossibly glorious moments of stillness, breath and motion.”

Renee Granados

Received 1 honorable mention

“Romantic, surreal, transporting. Reminded me of Sofia Coppola’s films. The dancer and the cinematography made me curious to see more of the central character. Captivating.”

Sahara Hayes

Received 1 honorable mention

“I really adored the “dance-like” approach to the apparatus, playing with unusual “dance” movement possibilities on this apparatus such as the slide of the feet. I also thought the lyrical approach was really catching (for example, when the music says “veins” and the character stops moving).
I felt like the part choreographed underneath the ladder could have been a little less rushed by taking time to arrive in the position and having a reason to go there.
The other parts of the piece felt really connected and emotional!”

Shapeshifter Collective: Illuminated Liminal

Received 1 honorable mention

“A moving meditation on the timelessness of isolation. Visually gorgeous, spacey and strange, you’ll be set adrift imagining what else happens in that room. Typewritten letters that will never be sent, hummed songs that no one will ever hear, these movements on endless loop?”

Shayna Rutledge: SO Happy Together

Received 1 honorable mention

“A lovely, theatrical piece that draws you in with a sweet story, masterful use of a simple apparatus, and incredible movement control. Beautiful use of flexibility and balance to enhance the narrative.”

Victoria McDowell-Drew: Invocations

Received 1 honorable mention

“This piece gave me somehow a post-apocalyptic feeling – because of the under-water elements which reminded me of Atlantis, but also because of the ladder coming out of the water and a body hanging upside down on the rope, a very gloomy sensation to it! I felt like the character in this film tried to escape this apocalyptic world from behind her fence (the hands reaching out) but never succeeded and in the end gave up, forever lingering in her little world.”