Call for Papers: 7th Conference of the AG Animation and VIA University College | „The (R)Evolution of Animation: Current Challenges and Future Directions“ | Viborg, Denmark | September 9–11 2024
Math Universe – by Mads Vadsholt
The conference takes place in cooperaton with the Animation Workshop at the VIA University College in Viborg (Denmark) in week 37 (September 9–11) of 2024, corresponding with the well-known Viborg Animation Festival.
The conference aims to delve into the rapid evolution and the ecological, political, ethical and technological challenges of animation, investigating the factors that have propelled its growth and examining the obstacles it currently faces. This call for research seeks to foster critical discussions surrounding the (r)evolution of animation and its future directions in response to the changes and trials faced by the industry. We invite scholars, artists, curators and more to submit papers that shed light on historical and current challenges in animation studies, art and industry as well as on the future directions of this ever-evolving field.
The conference program will be structured in three parts:
The Influence of Technology on Animation:
The craft of animation has been defined by the evolution and progress of technology that has been available to the artists; tools which were adapted to specific demands and language that created a unique way of expressing a story. It enabled new ways of interdisciplinary cooperation in different areas of work and disciplines but also countless adaptations and extensions of intellectual property (IP) across different media forms and platforms. They have paved the way for more aesthetically captivating visuals, expansive worldbuilding, as well as intricate storytelling in animation.
Political and Ecological Challenges Arising from Animation’s Growth:
As animation production and viewership increase, new challenges have emerged. On one hand, there is an urgent need for greater diversity and inclusive representation in media. On the other hand, the integration of new technologies, techniques, and an expanding array of distribution platforms must be balanced with ecological working standards. This includes addressing issues like international remote workplaces and considering the ecological impact of animation production.
Ethical Questions Raised by Emerging Technologies:
Production efficiency has become a paramount concern, leading to the emergence of technologies like AI-assisted animation and text-prompted art. However, the integration of these technologies raises ethical questions regarding the nature of artistic expression and the responsibilities of creators. “The (R)Evolution of Animation: Current Challenges and Future Directions” invites researchers to explore these ethical implications and contribute to the ongoing discourse on the use of AI in animation production.
Further research topics and paper submissions
Topics of interest include navigating the impact of the pandemic on production and distribution, addressing the need for greater diversity and inclusivity in animation, and developing ethical and ecological frameworks for working standards and the use of AI in animation production.
In addition, we encourage researchers to examine how animation has historically revolutionized expression, storytelling, and communication. This includes exploring its impact on education, ethical debates, and its role in addressing complex social and political issues. Furthermore, papers that explore archival practices and chronicle the revolutions shaping the animation industry and craft, both in relation to current challenges and in parallel, as well as submissions from scholars in various disciplines, including animation studies, media studies, cultural studies, art history, and more are highly welcomed.
Further research topics may include, but are not limited to:
- The historical and current impact of animation on traditional media and storytelling.
- Ethics of AI in animation production, including text-prompted art and animation analysis.
- Emerging and historical trends in animation technology and techniques.
- Current state and prior developments in green and sustainable animation production.
- Animation as a medium and its influence on public perception of ethical, political, and societal issues.
Submission guidelines
Our expert panel of reviewers will conduct a rigorous and academic peer-review process to ensure the quality and scholarly value of the selected papers. The written contributions for the conference should therefore be structured due to the following guidelines:
- Abstract (max. 300 words including references and max. 4 images)
- Short bio (max. 100 words)
- Extended Deadline: May 15th, 2024
You will find more information about the Call for Papers and the conference here: https://caga24.via.dk/.
Confirmed Keynote Speakers
Bonnie Mitchell – „Time, Timing and Timelessness: Expanding the Boundaries of Animation“
This keynote presentation will explore various theories of time and connect them to an expanded definition of animation. A discussion of time cannot exist without connecting it to space. This talk will focus on both traditional animation and animated works of art that defy the boundaries of the screen. Animation has the ability to emotionally and cognitively affect the audience and alter the perception of time. Through the use of immersion, interactivity, and the psychological power of design principles, these animated environments challenge our notion of both time and space.
Bonnie Mitchell is an experimental animator, curator, and professor in Digital Arts at Bowling Green State University in the United States. Her animation and installations explore spatial and experiential relationships to our physical, and her large-scale installations invite the viewer to physically enter an environment where the projected animations and sculptural elements immerse the viewer in a conceptual journey through time. Her experimental visual music animations and installations have been exhibited at numerous festivals, conferences, and exhibitions around the world including the SIGGRAPH and ISEA art exhibitions, Under the Radar, Punta y Raya and many more animation screenings.
Boris Eldagsen – „/animate – The Rise of AI-Generated Moving Images?“
As an international artist and AI expert, Boris will give an overview of the current possibilities to generate moving images with artificial intelligence. He will show that the basic rules for creating images also apply to moving images and how easy animation with AI has become.
Boris Eldagsen (*1970) is a Berlin-based photomedia artist, who studied fine arts at the art academies of Mainz, Prague and Hyderabad (India) – and philosophy at the universities of Cologne and Mainz. Boris is „Head of Digital“ at the German Photographic Academy (DFA) and one of the leading AI experts in the international photography scene. In April 2023 he refused the Sony World Photography Awards, admitting that he applied with an AI-generated image to initiate a debate about the relationship between AI-generated images and photography. His stunt became worldwide news and his image THE ELECTRICIAN one of the most famous of the year.
Henrik Schønau Fog
Henrik Schønau-Fog is an Associate Professor, PhD and Deputy Head of Department of Media Technology at Aalborg University, Copenhagen Campus. Henrik is the founder of the ViZARTS project and together with Medialogy students and Amunet Studio, he has created one of the world’s first rear-projection based Virtual Production Training Facilities at AAU’s basement in Copenhagen’s Sydhavn district – with the support from Nordisk Film Fonden. Here filmmakers and techies collaborate to utilize the real-time capabilities of game engines to learn how to create virtual production for animation, film, TV and games.is also the co-founder and director of the Samsung Media Innovation Lab for Education (SMILE) where he is working with innovative media-technologies, gamification, transformational games and games for learning. His work is based on real-time 3D game engines, and he is an expert in virtual production, final pixels in camera productions, in-camera VFX, motion capture animation and adaptive real-time story worlds.After working at DR-TV as a producer in the late 1990’ies, Henrik moved to Switzerland and worked at The Fantastic Cooperation to create a satellite-based internet platform with MTV and Eurosport on board. He then founded Scandinavias first Motion Capture company – MoCap Copenhagen – with clients such as IO interactive and Tivoli, before he pivoted into an academic career. He is furthermore an expert in motivational factors and assessment of engagement in games, learning and interactive media – and loves kitesurfing and snowboarding.
Conference Team
Andrea Polywka, Philipps-Universität Marburg
Juergen Hagler, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Ars Electronica Linz
Peter Vistisen, Aalborg University
Lana Tankosa Nikolic, The Animation Workshop/VIA University College
Jakob Borrits Skov Sabra, The Animation Workshop/VIA University College
Bue Holmsgaard Fyhn, The Animation Workshop/VIA University College
Partners
The Animation Workshop/VIA University College