met·a·mor·pho·sis
[Latin metamorphsis, from Greek, from metamorphoun,
to transform : meta-, meta- + morph, form.]
n. pl. met·a·mor·pho·ses (-sz)
A transformation, as by magic or sorcery.
A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function.
Biology. A change in the form and often habits of an animal during normal
development after the embryonic stage. Metamorphosis includes, in insects,
the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly and, in amphibians, the changing
of a tadpole into a frog.
Metamorphosis of Peace : A N I M A T I O N
P R O J E C T
In this project, we will utilize digital tools to visualize a changed world, transforming our images in color, shape and mood by using the layers in a Photoshop file to animate this metamorphosis. Our imagery will draw from the work + themes of the Metamorphosis of Peace
exhibition.
The cut and paste of Photoshop makes it the perfect tool for collaging a surreal object.
Surrealism’s visual vocabulary is prevalent in the environment of digital imaging. Photoshop
filters can skew, warp and composite an image from real to surreal, in just a few clicks. Layer
and opacity tools allow digital artists to manipulate these pictures, superimposing images
and realities. Opacity tools allow us to see-through solid objects, with our new superpowers.
Meanwhile, we can join together diverse objects with seamless magic, like Dr. Frankenstein
in his lab. The power of this alchemy is seductive. Animation allows us to actively play a role
in this transformation as we observe the process of change before our eyes.
The power to visualize change can be put to various purposes. Special effects in movies
often dwell on the dark side. Villains and monsters are rendered even more textured and
creepy thanks to recent breakthroughs in digital technology. Many of the original Surrealist
artists also leaned toward this darkness, taking inspiration from nightmares and Freudian
psychology. (See images by Dali, Max Ernst, Leonara Carrington, Merit Oppenheim...) But
others at the same time, were utilizing dreamlike imagery to visualize more hopeful fantasies.
(see Marc Chagall, Paul Klee, etc) The colorful paintings of Francisco da Costa Maya
follow this second sensibility, imagining a world of humans, birds, suns, and trees coexisting
in fantastical landscapes. Each painting is a story and a vision of love, truth, and justice.
!
Morphing is the process of transformation. Many fairy tales and stories present the utopian
possibility of a better future, within the tale there is often the physical transformation of a
character, representative of transformation on other levels as well - psychological, social,
economic... the transformation of identity. Once upon a time, these stories may have reassured the downtrodden that their lot could improve. Animation can serve the same function,
providing the sense of a morph-able future. Digital media offers the promise of change and
the hope of fulfilled desires.
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Metamorphosis of Peace : A N I M A T I O N P R O J E C T
1. Photoshop > File > new
2. width : 640 pixels
height : 480 pixels
resolution : 72 ppi
color mode : RGB
background : white
3. Arrange work space with xtra room for
Layers palette to expand downward
4. Frames of your animation will be created by the layers in your photoshop file.
5. Start by duplicating your background
layer. For each step in your animation, you
must be on the top layer of your layers
palette and go: Layer > Duplicate layer.
6. Duplicate the top layer often (every few
minutes) and continue working on the new
top layer. Remember: you must always
work on the top layer. The layer is highlighted when you are on it.
7. You may use the eyedropper tool to select colors from the artist’s work as your
painter’s palette.
8. You may use images from the folder>
meta/peace to add to your animation,
or simply create imagery as you go.
9. AVOID using transparency, opacity,
eraser or delete commands... Each layer
must be solid to work in the animation.
10. Build toward a positive metamorphosis
or transformation of your imagery as you
go. Try to build at least 20 layers of slow
evolution.
11. SAVE your work. Do not flatten or
merge layers.
12. Launch Image Ready software >
!
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Metamorphosis of Peace : A N I M A T I O N P R O J E C T
13. Image Ready > open image
14. Window > Animation
(make sure horizontal animation window is
open across the bottom of your screen)
15. At far left of Animation window > use
small black triangle > Make frames from
layers command.
16. Frames of your animation will be created by the layers in your photoshop file.
Check that they all open.
17. Adjust timing on your animation at the
bottom of each frame > change 0 seconds
to increase.
18. Preview animation with play button.
Adjust speed + looping commands.
19. File > export original document >
20. Format > Quick Time movie
21. Compression settings >
you might experiment with this for different
qualities... try > Sorenson Video 3
22. Try other ways to Optimize animation
23. SAVE your work as a Quick Time .mov file
or a .swf file for posting to the web.
Please sign a release form to allow your
animation to be included in the online
exhibit!
Your animations can be placed in the drop
folder on PUBLIC. Please title them with a one
word title : your_name.mov
!
Please save your animation to a disk too!
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Metamorphosis of Peace : A N I M A T I O N P R O J E C T
Metamorphosis of Peace : A B O U T
T H E
E X H I B I T
We are bringing the project, Metamorphosis of Peace to an international audience in
Portugal this spring. Metamorphosis of Peace is a multi-faceted collaboration, including
art education, digital media and graphic design. Students at UMD and in Duluth Public
schools are creating artwork to be included in the online exhibit. The project culminates
in events at the International InSEA Congress 2006 : Interdisciplinary Dialogues in Arts
Education in Viseu, Portugal, March 1-5, 2006.
Exhibition: Opening March 1, 2006 18:30-19:30 Galerie de Arte Instituto
Portugues da Juventude, Viseu, Portugal
online exhibit URL: www.d.umn.edu/~aaune/peace
Title: Metamorphosis of Peace: Paintings by Francisco da Costa Maya
!
Description: An exhibition, Metamorphosis of Peace: Paintings by Francisco da Costa
Maya, is proposed together with a digital exhibition of student paintings, sculptures, and
digital animations inspired by Da Costa Maya's work. Francisco da Costa Maya's paintings have been described as mixing levels of meaning with saturated color and
dreamlike forms. His narrative compositions contain stylized humans, birds, suns, and
trees in fantastical landscapes. Each painting is a story and a vision of love, truth, and
justice. The exhibition will feature 15 original oil painting created by Da Costa Maya in
Sweden between 1982-1999. The digital exhibition of student art, curated by art and
design professors Alison Aune and Joellyn Rock, will be accompanied by exhibition text
and instructional materials created by university students in art education and designed
by graphic design student, Danielle Nelson.
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Metamorphosis of Peace : A N I M A T I O N P R O J E C T
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