Encounters (Static Animations) (15 images)

Visual narrative and perception are at the core of “Encounters”. Working with a trail camera commonly used by hunters and wild life researchers, it attempts to evoke both a 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 an element of luck and uncertainty to the project. The images become the documentation of a series of...
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Visual narrative and perception are at the core of “Encounters”. Working with a trail camera commonly used by hunters and wild life researchers, it attempts to evoke both a 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 an element of luck and uncertainty to the project. The images become the documentation of a series of chance encounters, albeit by proxy. Using sequences of six images, their spacial arrangement and sequencing attempts to trigger the viewer’s brain into completing a loop. These sequences work as static animations, static Gifs. Motion is deconstructed to its bare minimum visually, while the sequence retains the ability to suggest it. Any motion only happens in the mind of the viewer. Trick the eye, trigger the brain; without any intention of deceit.

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.
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