Kineticam Sketch is the first documentation of an experiment with motion and stillness through a unique approach to animation. It is an interactive prototype for future installations, where a video camera becomes a pattern detector. Kineticam Sketch is a teaser of the large-scale art project Kineticam.

IDEA AND PHILOSOPHY

At the center of the kinetic installation Kineticam is a camera that, when static, captures the natural dynamics of life. But as soon as the camera begins to rotate, reality transforms: the living motion dissolves into a single flow, while the stationary objects break into the foreground, becoming the main element of the scene.

Kineticam is a transition. A transition from the familiar, ever-changing reality to a world where static objects come to life through the movement of the camera. This process reveals hidden structures and connections, revealing the secret architecture of space.

UNIQUE ANIMATION MECHANICS

Kineticam radically rethinks the principle of the zoetrope by replacing the rotation of images with the rotation of the camera. This inversion unlocks new possibilities for experimenting with scale and perspective.

The key feature of Kineticam is its unique spatial mechanics, which create smooth animation even when objects vary in size and appear to be arranged chaotically at first glance. This contrast forms a new visual experience where perspective, depth, motion, and time come together in a captivating performance.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Smooth animation in Kineticam is achieved through precise synchronization of all key parameters: camera rotation speed (rpm), frame rate (fps), number of objects (NoP), their sizes, distances, and spatial arrangement/relative positions.

The number of objects is calculated using the formula: NoP = (60 × fps) / rpm. For example, for 12 fps and 30 rpm, 24 objects are required.

The proportions between the size of the object and its distance from the axis of rotation, as well as the precise positioning of each object in the correct phase of rotation, ensure the visual consistency of the animation.

HOW THE PROTOTYPE WORKS

Visual elements of Kineticam Sketch:

– a control unit for adjusting the speed and rotation modes of the camera;
– a mise-en-scene diagram showing the positioning of the camera and objects;
– an image output window from the camera that displays the animation.

Two modes of operation:

– manual mode, in which the user rotates the camera manually or adjusts the speed using a slider;
– automatic mode, in which the camera rotates autonomously, and the direction, duration of rotation, and pauses are set randomly.

A speed of 30 rpm is required for a smooth animation. The animation is based on the interaction of two cubes that deform and change in size under each other's influence.

THE FUTURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT

Kineticam can be adapted to any scale or context – from intimate installations to large-scale urban projects. Each new presentation reinterprets the theme, engaging with the surrounding environment and local audience.

The project remains an open platform for the integration of various art forms: graphics, sculpture, and architecture. In the future, the series of 24 "frames" may include unique elements – from works by different artists to iconic objects such as the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty.

By supporting Kineticam, you become part of the experiment and have the potential to be recognized as a collector or participant in future installations. Together, we uncover the hidden structures of the world and create new forms of interaction between art, space, and people.

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Press [1-5] to resize the canvas (0.5x-1.5x, default 0.75x). In live view, press [S] to save your Kineticam Sketch. Smaller canvas dimensions improve performance; larger dimensions maximize saved image resolution.

© January 2025, Max Meir.