You work hard. You show kindness. You pay your taxes. You just remembered you have to pay your taxes. You deserve to meet three animators that will explode your brain. There are no fluffy 3D clouds or meet-cute plots here. But there are unforgettable images and squealing rapture.
Time Consumption Advisory: these artists’ work is often short but extremely addictive, and you may find yourself unable to do the thing you were supposed to do today.
1. Nina Paley
A cartoonist, animator, writer, and free culture (“Copying is Not Theft”) activist, Nina Paley is prolific, innovative, and engaging.
When Nina’s gorgeous, hilarious, wrenching magnum opus SITA SINGS THE BLUES reached NetFlix, I watched it. Enjoyed it. The next night, came home to find my roommate had just started it. Thought, “I’ll just sit and watch this part.” Watched the whole thing over again. It’s that good.
Origin story
In 1991, at age 23, Nina was already producing work this good (for Grateful Dead Comix):
Secret superpowers
Adobe Flash, animating with embroidery, embracing technology, resisting authority
Viewing rabbit hole starts here
This Land Is Mine from Nina Paley on Vimeo.
2. Felix Colgrave
Distinctive, playful, unsettling, Felix Colgrave’s work is so good it makes me angry. Every time he puts out a new short, I watch it three times in a row. Can’t help it.
He has the skill, the portfolio, and the beard-growing prowess of a man twice his age. He’s 22 right now and I can’t handle that information at all.
Origin story
Originally from the Tasmanian Northwest, currently living and working in Melbourne, Australia, Felix produces steady freelance work, including a music video for Fever the Ghost and a short for Comedy Central’s Triptank (NSFWish). He is also pretty great at life drawing.
Secret superpowers
Adobe Flash, comic contrast, comic timing, making Melbourne as cool as Adelaide
Viewing rabbit hole starts here
3. Cyriak
Cyriak Harris’s appetite-suppressing, electronica-backed flights of fancy are as fun as they are disturbing. There is no creature so innocuous that he can’t turn it into a hypnotic dancing spider-beast.
Origin story
Breakout star of British media site B3ta, Cyriak answers the cries of a hungry public with music videos, Adult Swim bumpers, and assorted original shorts.
Secret superpowers
After Effects, music composition, patience for render times
Viewing rabbit hole starts here
Enjoy, and don’t forget your taxes.
