Educational Media Reviews Online

Robert Darroll: Digital Animations 1990-2001 presents five video works which function as multi-layered audio-visual collages, utilizing a mix of computer graphics, cel animation, and live-action video. Dense thematic structures leave the viewer to take what he or she can from the abstract works; a short essay on each piece written by the artist is included in the DVD’s packaging. The first and earliest work is MEMB, a composition of form-shifting patterns, incorporating elemental motion and fluidity in an exploration of natural textures set to an industrial soundtrack. Perhaps the most ambitious work is Moé’s Field, which is structured around several poetic diary entries and incorporates a variety of media including photos and text. Stele explores complexity and memory, juxtaposing natural and synthetic soundscapes. Noemata #1 alternates between macro and micro, presenting mechanical and rotoscoped imagery in what Darroll describes as a “short essay on the sensuality of violence.” Noemata #2 revisits the recurring theme of tension, both visual and conceptual, between natural and geometric constructions, shapes, and patterns in an examination of how we decode cultural artifacts. These selections document a phase of work that is narrow in scope and method. There is little sense of the evolution of Darroll’s work, and changes in technique or style are incremental at best. Those hoping for insight into the creative process or the artist’s take on his methods and style will be disappointed – no documentary material is included on the disc. Thus the program is recommended with reservations for libraries supporting programs with a focus on media and visual arts.

It should be noted that this package marks the first time that the artist’s work has been released on DVD. The production values are noteworthy. The disc represents the first DVD release in the Kinetica Video Library series produced by The iotaCenter, a non-profit arts organization. Given the difficulty inherent in compressing video and motion graphics to the DVD format, those involved in creating the disc have done a fine job in presenting a visual experience that must be as true to the original work as possible.