Entering the grotto of the biomechanical puppeteer : exploring the grotesque in stop motion puppetry

Date
2014-12
Authors
Jacobs, Daneille
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the significance of stop motion puppetry as an artistic device that enables illustrators to explore the notion of the ‘grotesque’. Mikhail Bakhtin and Wolfgang Kayser’s theorisation of the grotesque provides the foundation for my analysis of the manifestation of the grotesque in the puppets and stop motion techniques utilised in Jan Švankmajer’s Something from Alice (1988) and a selected film from my own work entitled Bad Man He Comin’ (2011). A comparative study of these two films demonstrate that stop motion puppetry is an apt medium for facilitating and exploring forms of the grotesque.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die klem in hierdie tesis val op die belangrikheid van stop-aksie poppespel as ‘n artistieke toestel wat kunstenaars kan gebruik om idees van die groteske weer te gee deur die gebruik van objekte sowel as die destruktiewe aard van die animasie proses. Mikhail Bakthin en Wolfang Kayser se idees rondom the groteske, vestig die grondslag vir die studie, om karaktereienskappe van die groteske te ontbloot in die poppe en metodes wat gebruik is in Jan Švankmajer se film Something from Alice (1988), sowel as ‘n geselekteerde film van my eie werk genaamd Bad Man He Comin’ (2011). ‘n Vergelykende studie, weerspieël dat groteske karakteruitbeelding verkry kan word deur sekere materiale te gebruik om poppe-liggame te skep. Die studie ontul verder dat die groteske geïdentifiseer kan word in die animasie proses waarin die verwronging en afbreking van objekte, tyd, spasie en beweging plaasvind.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
Keywords
Grotesque in art, Puppetry, Stop-motion animation films, Theses -- Visual arts, Dissertations -- Visual arts, Theses -- Art, Dissertations -- Art
Citation