The world space has been divided into thin slices of color. As the objects moves through one slice entering another one the color changes. Color appears as rings because of the curvature of the object. The object’s speed of movement through space determines the rate of color change. The world space can also be sub divided into thicker sections. Their orientation as well as the world color space can be altered over time. Color space can be changed at a faster pace than the movement of objects.

I first used a tool to fragment a 3d object. A 2d version of the fragmentation tool was developed for my Hummingbird film in 1967. Then I made copies of the fragmented object and created groups. The animation has several groups which move independent of one another.

Unlike a planned storyboard for a narrative film, I do not have a particular plan for the movement and timing of abstract forms in 3d space. Also, it is unlike 2d abstract animation where the movement is up, down, right, left or back and forth. My forms must move along a curve through 3d space. The forms change their appearance as they rotate and alter their speed along this curve.

My approach to planning is non-linear and unpredictable involving a great deal of experimentation. I like to play with combinations of form color and movement. It is a mixture of insanity and algorithmic thinking. I don’t have the tools I really want. But I do have tools which work within certain limitations. Sometimes these limitations force me to be more inventive in finding solutions. This is where a sense of the ridiculous helps.

I was doing oil paintings with some odd idea about visual structure and expressionism before I became involved with computers. As I create my animation the forms and how they change moving through space is important to me. I am more comfortable with non-narrative animation. I can’t tell a story or a one line joke. Abstraction is easier for me as it’s easier to bring focus to visual structure. My feelings for expressionism has drifted off into a domain concerned about the aura of beauty.

The movement is important but secondary to the feelings of form and space. Animation has become a balancing act between form and movement. I’ve always liked the idea of motion painting invented by Oskar Fischinger over 80 years ago. But unlike Fischinger I’m fortunate to have access to tools which allow me to play in three dimensional space using lights and three dimensional forms. I’m also lucky to be living in a time where animation can become an art form woven into the fabric of our culture. Things like YouTube and iTunes are full of opportunities. There is an exciting new world far beyond Pixar, Dreamworks and Blue Sky.