Visual Analysis

At the start of this seminar, we were shown two animations and discussed them afterwards:

The first is called 'Bottle' by Kirsten Lepore; it describes the story of two beings from different locations sending messages to each other in a bottle, and using the pieces the other sends, they decorate their bodies with various items.



As enjoyable and inoffensive as it is to view as an animation, it can also have deeper meanings. For example it can represent a persons identity, about how you can dress and look however you want. This ties in well with how social media allows us to create our own identity, whether genuine or fake, so you only let people see what you want them to see.
It could also represent how different cultures can come together and intertwine, embracing each others differences. Being exposed to different cultures can shape our identity and improve our knowledge.
The story this is telling is that no matter where you're from or how far apart you are, you can still be friends with and care for anyone - but ultimately it will be near-impossible for them to be together for long.
The water could represent our society and how it doesn't accept certain differences, especially when they try to unite.
As for the animation itself, you can interpret it in many different ways, since the characters are neutral beings, with only subtle hints as to who or what they could be.

The second animation shown was 'The Dog who was a Cat Inside' by Siri Melchior:



This plot also has deeper levels of meaning; to children it is just an entertaining animation about a cat inside a dog, but to others it could be about the confused identity of the dog - the cat seems invisible to everyone else so this suggests the cat is inside the dogs mind/imagination.
It could relate to some serious issues such as transgender and having a split personality, so is animation really the best way to represent the issues? If so then it has to be handled in the right way, otherwise it could be perceived as too light-hearted or even offensive.
This particular animation has quite a messy style, with lines that look like marker pens and shapes that are cut out - all these elements make this piece quirky, which I think many people will enjoy.

They both have similar meanings behind the stories - using very different styles and techniques to portray this. They both touch on the subject of identity and how the best way to be happy in life is if you stay true to who you are. There's also the topic of love which emanates through every main character in both animations - whether it's a loving partner or friendship, all characters have a goal in mind (to meet the other person or to find love) that drives the story.

Both animations can be interpreted to have deeper meanings - of representing how society works and doesn't accept much difference from the 'mainstream', however both pieces show that you can find others in the world that will accept you for who you are, no matter where they are.

The endings with both films have one thing in common - that every main character finds a companion who accepts them for who they are.