During a recent 10-day residency in Tarusa, Russia, the artists at Invisible Friends decided to embark on a unique experiment. They wanted to create a stop-motion animation film entirely out of mosaic, a medium typically associated with cement bases for securing fragments. The result was “The sky has no edge,” a poetic narrative that explores the act of looking up through a patchwork of scenes crafted from mosaic.
The process of creating this dreamlike animation was both ambitious and intricate. Conceived and filmed within a span of five days each, the film showcases a range of scenes, including a crow perched on a powerline, fireworks bursting in the distance, and a bee buzzing above a passing train. Each scene was meticulously created by individual artists and then seamlessly stitched together to form the final narrative.
To achieve the mosaic effect, artist Ilya Yudovich experimented with a plasticine mixture that mimicked the texture and consistency of cement without hardening. This allowed the artists to manipulate the mosaic pieces with precision, ensuring that each frame was a work of art in itself. The process was labor-intensive, resembling a mix of cut-out animation and total animation techniques.
The end result is a visually stunning film that showcases the creativity and ingenuity of the artists at Invisible Friends. While the film’s narrative can be found on YouTube, the behind-the-scenes process is detailed on their website. For more experimental techniques and collaborations, you can also check out their work on Vimeo.
The film’s unique approach to stop-motion animation sets it apart from traditional methods, highlighting the endless possibilities of artistic expression. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible with mosaic, the artists at Invisible Friends have created a captivating and innovative piece of visual storytelling.
