“Trick the eye, trigger the brain”, with no intention of deceit. At the intersection of classical photography and modern technology, the work explores what and how many elements are required to evoke a visual narrative and trigger one's brain and imagination. Motion and visual narrative are deconstructed to a minimum, and the grids of images evoke a static, frozen and unfolded GIF animation. The viewer is invited to complete the loop. Hijacking technology at the service of the idea, and using the technological limitations as a creative challenge; the work also carries a certain levity while always attempting to embrace beauty.
Working with a trail camera more commonly used by hunters and wild life researchers, "Encounters (Static Animations)" attempts to evoke a brief narrative and trigger a mental animation, six images at the time. Replacing the “decisive moment” with a motion sensor and relinquishing all camera controls to the machine introduces luck and uncertainty to the project. The images document of a series of chance encounters, by proxy. Using sequences of six images, motion is visually deconstructed to a minimum, while the sequence retains the ability to suggest a mental narrative.
Since the camera is fixed, and the framing pre-composed, the animals’ movements dictate the narrative. The square matrix arrangement allows for the sequences to shift back and forth visually, and changes in the viewing distance will induce the pieces to be experienced as a whole or as individual images, reinforcing the sense of rhythm.
In the process it revealed the surprising inquisitiveness of the animals toward the camera, while giving us a glimpse into their natural behavior.