In 2014 I created an anonymous online persona known as “Stranger Pines”. With Stranger Pines, I had the freedom to distance my art from any preconceived notions of my own appearance, gender, age, and other characteristics that might speak on my behalf and influence my art. It was important to me that the art shared via Stranger Pines had the ability to speak for itself without any additional influence.

 

Five years later, I knew I wanted to breathe new life into the Stranger Pines persona.  I wanted to explore the access and alternative distribution of motion-based media; in the internet era, viewers want things that are fast, free, and fresh. Inspired by mid nineteenth and early twentieth century optical toys that looped single-action imagery, I experimented with discovering how little action or visual reference I could include to tell a complete story that viewers can be invested in.

 

I created six micro short collections, each collection featuring a series of themed GIFs.  The individual collections have a focus on different elements such as line, negative space, color, timing, and shape. Stepping away from the traditional proscenium shape of commercial film, I wanted to see what other ways I could display a set of videos that interact with one another on a webpage without the restraints of a theatrical release including the need to purchase admission to view. Art should not be reserved for those who can afford it when those who need it most might not be able to spare the cost of admission.