Ecstatic Truth: Defining the essence of an animated documentary
[William Kentridge]
APGR* research symposium at the Royal College of Art
Date: Saturday 14th May, 2016
Location: Stevens building, Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore
According to Werner Herzog mere facts constitute an accountant’s reality, but it is the ecstatic truth (a poetic reality) that can capture more faithfully the nuances and depths of human experiences. Given that animation has the freedom to represent, stylize, or reimagine the world, it lends itself well to this aspirational form of a documentary.
To celebrate the launch of our new Animated Documentary pathway, Royal College of Art Animation warmly invites PhD research students to submit proposals for Ecstatic Truth: the 6th Animation PGR research symposium. We invite speakers to respond to the idea of “Ecstatic Truth” and reflect, speculate and imagine how animated form might elicitate the different facets of this poetic truth, through its unique language.
Proposals should be for either:
– a 20 minute conference paper;
– or an alternative discussion/presentation format as appropriate for practice-based research (this can include practice based work in a form of short films, images etc.)
Some of the proposed themes:
Showing the Invisible
Inner states, subjective states, forbidden places, ethical issues etc.
Transcending Time
Memory, future, sci-fi, history etc.
Truth, Falsification and Poetry
Virtual reality, fictional elements, special effects, imagination, poetic truth etc.
Art and Science dialogue
Science visualization, role of poetry in science imagery etc.
Human condition
social issues, society, social commentary, health and illness, conflict etc.
(We equally welcome fierce and creative opposition to Herzog’s statement…!)
Please note that the symposium is designed for MPhil / PhD students to present their work-in-progress to a friendly and well-informed audience of peers and supervisors.
The deadline for submissions is 14th April 2016.
To submit your proposal or any related questions please contact Dr Tereza Stehlikova: tereza.stehlikova@network.rca.ac.uk
*The Animation Postgraduate Research Group was set up in 2011 by Dr Paul Ward of the Arts University College at Bournemouth as a safe and supportive network in which MPhil/PhD students in animation can network, exchange ideas and disseminate their research.
Animated Documentaries from the Royal College of Art
For inspiration, here are a number of different approaches to animated documentary created by students on MA Animation at the RCA:
Nightclub from Jonathan Hodgson on Vimeo.
Yellow Fever from Ng’endo Mukii on Vimeo
Devil In The Room from Mackinnonworks on Vimeo.
Procrastination from Johnny Kelly on Vimeo.
Die Andere Seite from Ellie Land on Vimeo.
Expanded Animation 