June 10, 2004

silhouettes

strook.jpg

These three pictures look very similar, although their how, why, and what, are very different. Similar appearance. Appearing similarity. They are all tributary to Victorian silhouettes, which is an interesting enough theme. Picture on the left is by Koizumi Kishio, a Japanese artist from long ago (okay, so maybe he's not very Victorian). I found him in Scrubbles' newly archived categories. I can't find this particular picture anywhere else. Middle picture is of course Kara Walker, who takes the silhouettes to Tate level. I had to scan Stéphane Bouquet (on the right) from a comic story in a book, as I didn't find what I wanted on his website. Probably many more artists use Victorian silhouettes, but I think these three make an interesting visual rhyme. Marcel van Eeden sometimes draws silhouettes, and I remember a very nice animated tv series. Who can think of more?

Posted by eliane at June 10, 2004 12:38 PM
Comments

Fiep Westendorp ofcourse!, from Jip en Janneke.
http://www.jipenjanneke.nl/

Posted by: Tim at June 11, 2004 04:03 AM

Ja, daar dacht ik ook aan. Fiep is een van mijn favorieten.

Posted by: anneke at June 11, 2004 04:29 AM

How could I forget! Thanks.

Posted by: eliane at June 11, 2004 06:47 AM

You forgot Lotte Reininger, the maker of the -real- first full feature animation movie. She used a technique called "scherenschnitt", paper cutouts. The figures were built with articluated limbs and could be animated.

Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released in 1937, but already in 1926, Reininger, then 27 years old, released Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed (the adventures of prince ahmed), a story from the 1001 nights.

http://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.3/articles/moritz1.3.html
http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/wild/learn/animators/reiniger.html

The national film board has a Aucassin and Nicolette (1975) in their collection and you can go see it in the http://www.nfb.ca/e/addresses/cinerobotheque.html
A small clip is available if you search for "Aucassin and Nicolette"

Posted by: Michiel at June 11, 2004 08:48 AM

ohh...i love the Kara Walker!
have a good day elaine,
off to explore.
r

Posted by: rhya at June 11, 2004 08:57 AM
eliane