Possible Poster Photos

'Circus' By Miwa Matreyek

Creative Media Essay

Miwa Matreyek is an animation film artist who created the complex but meaningful short film ‘Circus’. This film, even though hard to interpret at first, holds a hidden message that brings up modern social issues and effects the way people see the world (which is some what still in a old-fashioned frame of mind). These meanings and hidden messages are shown through the film by using textures, shapes and sounds. Her unique techniques showcase the way some people think in today’s society with thoughts or prejudice, racism and others in the form of a Circus.

The textures Miwa uses in the film ‘Circus’ help give the main message, arranged with a kind of bold, creepiness to it with an old-fashioned feel. Texture plays a big role in the film. The artist has used the illusion of texture and it is being used in a scratchy and indefinite way. The images also appear vague as the use of texture becomes heavier. The texture of the film has a black and white glow that makes facial and certain body features hard to distinguish. This makes the film have vagueness to it that makes you hesitant and on the edge. You can’t even tell what time of day or night it is as the texture makes it hard to distinguish what light used is real or not and what darkness used is real or not. The use of the black and white is a decision you would initially think to be a bit odd as the title of the film is ‘Circus’ and circuses are suppose to be colourful, but in this case, the circus she is copying is the old version of a circus and gives an old-fashioned vibe. The texture gives off confusion, eeriness and uncertainty. The effects the black and white shades also give is the idea of the unnerving and ambiguous nature of what appeared in the old original circuses that included a ‘freak show’ (a sideshow, featuring abnormally developed people or animals in bad taste). The use of the old textures and the unique technique Miwa used to make the movie look like an older, outdated film helps express the hidden message of people still in modern society having an ‘old-fashioned’ way of thinking and way of life in terms of how they treat or think of other people.

The shapes being used in Miwa’s short film contribute to the feelings and emotions being expressed towards the main meaning. The shapes used aren’t definite shapes as the edges of the shapes flicker and aren’t certain. This effect is the same kind of effect that old films had in the 1890’s used to have. The shapes of the people in the film’s edges were done roughly instead of smoothly. This is a technique that Miwa intentionally made as it makes the film more older and un-nerving. The use of shape help the overall message of the film is expressed as it brings out the emotions fitting the old-fashioned hidden meaning. It also supports the kind of uncertainty and feeling of fear that come with prejudice and all of those other hateful feelings.

The sound and music being used in the film help express the feelings associated with the message. The music melodies playing throughout the short were the kind of genre of music that played as the main themes in the old original circuses. The emotions that come from hearing the music (especially the sounds at the beginning and end of the film) are feelings or eeriness and confusion. The reason feelings of confusion are associated with the sounds is because at the start and end of the film, the sounds being produced aren’t really recognizable. This is another hidden message connecting to the final main message.

The short animation ‘Circus’ by Miwa Matreyek is a statement that some people even in today’s society where most of the population has grown to dislike prejudice and racism (etc.), some people still have that way of thinking. This message is portrayed by using texture, shape and sound. Even though the message itself is simple, however, the way it is portrayed is hard to digest. It gives the viewer something to think about.

Describe, Analyse, Interpretation, Judgement

Describe, Analyse, Interpretation, Judgment

Before starting the DAIJ Process, answer the following questions to get started:

• What is the name of the artist who created the animation?

The artist is Miwa Matreyek.

• What is the name of the animation?

The name of the animation is ‘Circus’.

·       When was the animation created?

The animation was created in 2009.

Describe: Write what you see (the visual facts).

• List the literal objects in the painting (trees, people, animals, mountains, rivers, etc.)

Animals- (elephant, lion, tiger), people- (a man with a moustache and a top hat, dancers, a woman with a gun, half human/elephant, tiny woman), a pyramid of people, an eyeball.

• What do you notice first when you look at the work? Why?

I noticed that the music was creepy and that the kind of music that was playing was the theme in the old circuses. I noticed the music first because the start the film is black and blank except for the sounds and music.

• What kinds of colours do you see? How would you describe them?

There are no colours only shades of black and white. I think the artist chose to do this because it lets the artist know that Miwa is trying to copy the old circuses (black and white films being old), and also makes the feel of the film creepy.

• What shapes can you see? What kind of edges do the shapes have?

I can see the shapes of the people in the film. The edges of the people are rough and not smooth. I think that was Miwa’s intention as it makes the film more creepy and uncertain.

• Are there lines in the work? If so, what kinds of lines are they?

There are lines in the beginning of the film when there were continuous lines making images of a woman and circus animals. They keep continuing, drawing attention to each of the pictures the lines were making.

• What sort of textures do you see? How would you describe them?

The texture of the film has a black and white glow that makes facial and certain body features hard to distinguish. This makes the film have vagueness to it that makes you hesitant and on the edge.

• What time of day/night is it? How can you tell?

You can’t tell what time of day/night it is as the texture makes it hard to distinguish curtain things or images. The other reason you can’t tell is because the backgrounds used are pictures of old worn down rooms. This makes it hard to tell if it’s even night or day.

• What is the overall visual effect or mood of the work?

The overall visual effect is an ambiguous black and white glow and the overall mood of the piece of work is confusion, eeriness and uncertainty.

Analyse: Mentally separate the parts or elements, thinking in terms of textures, shapes/forms, light/dark or bright/dull colours, types of lines, and sensory qualities. In this step consider the most significant art principles that were used in the animation. Describe how the artist used them to organize the elements.

Suggested questions to help with analysis:

• How has the artist used colours in the work?

The artist hasn’t used colour at all, she has used shades of black and white throughout the whole film. You would initially think that this decision was a bit odd as the title of the film is ‘Circus’ and circuses are suppose to be colourful, but in this case, the circus she is copying is the old version of a circus.

 

• What sort of effect do the colours have on the animation?

The effect the black and white shades give a creepy, old effect. The role of the black and white support the unnerving and ambiguous nature of what appeared in the old original circuses that included a ‘freak show’ (a sideshow, featuring abnormally developed people or animals in bad taste).

• How has the artist used shapes within the work of animation?

The film doesn’t have any definite shapes as the edges of the shapes flicker and aren’t certain.

• How have lines been used in the work? Has the artist used them as an important or dominant part of the work, or do they play a different roll?

Not that much line has been used in the film. I don’t think line really plays an important or dominant part in the piece of work.

• What role does texture play in the work? Has the artist used the illusion of texture or has the artist used actual texture? How has texture been used within the work?

I think that the texture plays a big role in the film. I think that the artist has used the illusion of texture. The texture being used is scratchy and indefinite. The images also appear vague as the use of texture becomes heavier.

• How has the artist used light in the work? Is there the illusion of a scene with lights and shadows, or does the artist use light and dark values in a more abstract way?

The artist uses light and dark values in a more abstract way as the amount of light or darkness used varies in every scene.

• How has the overall visual effect or mood of the work been achieved by the use of elements of art and principles of design.

The overall mood of the work left me with a sense of confusion and uncertainty through the fast changing scenes, non-definite shape edges and vague textures. I was also left with a sense of eeriness and creepiness because of the music and sounds used. Also, because of the old quality and feel of the film.

Interpretation: An interpretation seeks to explain the meaning of the work based on what you have learned so far about the animation, what do you think the artist was trying to say?

• Was the artist making a statement in this work? What was the Statement?

The artist was making a statement. Her statement was that some people even in today’s society where most of the population has grown to dislike prejudice and racism (etc.), some people still have that way of thinking. The film is referring to the older version of circuses in which a ‘freak show’ was involved, featuring a show of people or animals with disabilities in bad taste.

• What do you think it means?

Basically what Miwa Matreyek is trying to say and what the film means is that some people in this world still laugh at or look down upon things in which we don’t understand or are a little bit different.

• What does it mean to you?

To me, I think it means exactly what I wrote above.

·       How does this relate to you and your life?

I don’t think that this film and it’s meaning really relates to me and my life because I haven’t really experienced prejudice or anything like that. I also haven’t been bullied before, but I think this would relate to many other people because nearly everyone has experiences prejudice once in their lives.

• What feelings do you have when looking at this animation?

My feelings now after understanding what the animation means to me are sadness and a little bit of anger knowing that even after all of the lessons this world has learnt and everything our ancestors have gone through, there is still prejudice, racism, bullying and other forms of hate. Some people still of an old-fashioned way of thinking.

• Do elements within the animation represent other things/symbols?

The use of the old textures and the unique technique Miwa used to make the movie look like an older, out-dated film helps express the hidden message of people still in modern society having an ‘old-fashioned’ way of thinking and way of life in terms of how they treat or think of other people.

• Why do you think that the artist chose to use this style of animation and make these kinds of artistic decisions?

I think she made the artistic decision to make the film bold and creepy and really forward because she wanted to catch the viewer’s attention and wanted to make it over dramatic to get them off guard. Watching the film for the first time makes you feel scared and confused, but because it makes you feel this way, it makes you want to find out what the film means.

Judgment: After careful observation, analysis, and interpretation of an animation, you are ready to make your own judgment. This is your personal evaluation based on the understandings of the work. Here are questions you might consider:

• Do you think this work has underlying value or worth? What value have you found in the work? (For example, is it a beautiful work of art, does it convey an important social message, affect the way that people see the world, make insightful connections, reaffirms a religious belief, etc.)

I think that this piece of film conveys an important social message that some people still have that ‘old-fashioned’ frame of mind and I think that it would effect the way that people see the world, which is a place of uncertainty and different things and that we should all learn to accept them for what they are.

• Do you think that the work has a meaning for others? (Do you feel that the work communicates an idea, feeling or principle that would have value for others?

The main principle or value I think the film is trying to convey is to not judge something in a negative way just because it’s a little different or because you don’t really understand it. We have to celebrate people’s differences, not punish or laugh at them for them.

• Does the work lack value or worth? Why do you think this is so? Could the reason you find the work lacking come from a poor use of the elements of art?

The first time I watched over the film I didn’t really think it had a meaning or had any value or worth to it at all, but after really examining it thoroughly and going over every detail, it has a powerful hidden message.

• Could the subject matter be unappealing, unimaginative, or repulsive?

I don’t think that the subject matter is unappealing, unimaginative or repulsive. I feel that the subject matter is very important and gives a burning social message about the world and the way we think.

• Rather than seeing the work as being very effective or without total value, does the work fall somewhere in-between? Do you think that the work is just o.k.? What do you base this opinion on? The use of elements of art? Lack of personal expression? The work lacks a major focus? Explore your criticism of the work (s) as much as you would any positive perceptions. Realize that your own tastes and prejudices may enter into your criticism. Give your positive and negative perceptions.

I believe that the meaning was the most positive aspect of the film. I thought that the meaning was very important and very significant. One thing that I found was a negative aspect on the film was how the meaning was coming across. I found it very hard to find what the meaning meant. It took me a very long time to actually understand anything that was going on in the film. I think that if I wasn’t doing this film for an assignment I would have given up trying to find the message. If the meaning was being displayed more simply, it would have had more effective in my opinion.