Plume of Feathers: Still Moving Images

Abstract

This paper will explore the relationship between still and moving images in a project consisting of illustration as a visual essay making use of film and still image, which is projected over the live performance of a music album. Here, the manipulation of time to deliver the visual component can, deliberately, alternate between motion and lack of motion to exploit the friction between sound and image, and encourage critical thinking within the audience who is asked to span the gaps and synthesise divergent messages. The practice discussed operates as informed voice within the conversation, with both image and vocals exploring the topic of the decline of the public house in the UK. In this regard, the visual project questions the dominant representations of the pub in circulation. Its role highlights the need for us to make informed visual communication as practitioners, in order to help us all question, understand and contribute to the post-Brexit, post-factual world we live in. I will therefore situate the discussion within its political context to argue for the importance of reflexive and persuasive image making, and the strengths of motion graphics in making these communications that contribute to the health and democracy of the society they exist within.