Mobius

Mobius is a large scale, sculptor, stop motion animation. “MÖBIUS is a sculpture that can be configured into many cyclical patterns and behave as though it is eating itself, whilst sinking into the ground.” (eness.com) 

It was created by Eness, using 21 assorted shape large green triangles. Filmed using a digital stills camera, it shows the creation snaking around the landmark of Federation Square in Melbourne.

I really like this film; I think it’s really inventive, stylish and sleek. The blocks move so smoothly, it ignores the aspects associated with the jerky movements of most stop motion animations. 

I do, however think that the project would have had a cleaner result without the public walking in and out if the pattern. I know that Eness says “The result is an optical illusion and a time-lapse of people interacting with the sculpture and moving through Melbourne's landmark location throughout the day.” But I personally think that if the blocks had stayed in the foreground of the frame for the entirety, it would have had a much more polished effect. 

I also think that in a couple of the frames throughout, the leaves and rubbish that popped up were a disappointing distraction from the main subject of the blocks movement.

It took 49 animators two weekends to position, photograph and then reposition the blocks into a sequence that only makes sense in the playback. It must have been an extremely challenging and difficult animated film to make, but a very enjoyable experience I bet it was, for all those involved.

Evaluation

For our take on the Mobius animation, I and Michelle wanted to make a video that created a real situation. We decided to use a laptop screen, onto which we stuck in yellow the letters that spell ‘Loading’. 

We also positioned a green star at the top of the screen, we had also planned to have one at the base as well, they were going to alternate in size on different cycles, but we had to change from using a computer screen to using a matt laptop screen because of the reflection of us and the tripod.  

The production of the animation went relatively smoothly. 

We managed to set up a good routine with changing and repositioning the letters. Despite being situated in the door walkway, on a Monday, we managed to just about keep out of peoples way and minimised the risk of camera jumps.

However, with the last letter, there was a camera jump that we only discovered in the editing. I presume that I must have kicked the tripod slightly whilst swapping the letters, so I volunteered myself to then try and correct the jump on Photoshop, by repositioning and painting the entirety of the last frame to the right. It was difficult and not particularly successful but I did manage to minimise the jump to a barely noticeable skip, so on that note I reckon it went quite well.