The Persistence of Animation

High Definition, Moderate Definitions and Low Level Analysis
(Preconstituted Panel: Anime Experiences)

Abstract: From the false monad of the pixel, we now zoom out to the polygon as candidate for stable signifier of digital processes. In the post-polygon digital image, tropes of the analogue are retrieved, in the form of perceptual cues and intellectual caveats. Lens flare, shaking camera, focal depth defer to the authority of the cinematic analogue, but highlight the intellectually and creatively precarious nature of the digital image which, like the roman mosaic, cannibalises the material terms of its own image to remain contemporaneous with its referent culture.

Biographical Statement: David Surman is Senior Lecturer in Computer Games Design and Course Leader of the BA (Hons) Computer Games Design degree at the University of Wales Newport. He holds degrees in fine art, animation and film. He is primarily interested in the relationship between theory and practice in digital visual culture, with an emphasis on computer games design. His writing on games and animation has featured in The Times, The Boston Globe, Gamasutra, Edge and Vertigo. He is an editorial board member for Games and Culture and Animation: An Interdisciplinary Journal. His current interests include contemporary Japanese visual media, digital aesthetics and games design. He is author of The Videogames Handbook (Routledge, 2009) and co-editor of Animated Worlds (John Libbey, 2007).

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 12th, 2009 at 11:34 pm and is filed under Computer animation, Japanese animation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.