Encounters (Static Animations) (16 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 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 an element of luck and uncertainty to the project. The images become the documentation of a series...
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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 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 an element of luck and uncertainty to the project. The images become the documentation of a series of chance encounters, by proxy. Using sequences of six images, the 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 visually deconstructed to a minimum, while the sequence retains the ability to suggest it. 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-shaped 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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