Video Musics III: Floating Oceans is a 38-minute stop-motion animated video opera based on the works of the early 20th century Irish writer Lord Dunsany and inspired by the time and dream experiments of the Irish physicist John William Dunne. The piece explores and celebrates Irish mythology and culture, and the balance between non-linear and traditional linear narrative. Irish literature is reexamined through the meters of modern classical, hip-hop, ambient, and psychedelia, deconstructing and reconstituting various cultural postures. Video Musics III: Floating Oceans contrasts the vivid dreams of a nameless poet-protagonist with the foreboding routine of pedestrian life. When the protagonist attends a bourgeois dinner party, he hears different guests´ tales, each in its own melodic and visual style, affording glimpses of inchoate longing through the tattered veil of dinner-party patter. Parts operate under the tow of dream logic. All dialogue and narration are expressed through the lyrics and music. This work is the third in a series of animated video operas by Alexis Gideon. During screenings, the film is accompanied by live musical performance. The live music mirrors the action exactly, and the animated characters´ mouths are perfectly in sync with the sung lyrics. World premiere October 11, 2012 at the Hollywood Theater in Portland, Oregon http://hollywoodtheatre.org/ Extensive US and Europe tours start October 2012. The vinyl+video download release is slated for October 2012 on Africantape http://www.africantape.com CREDITS Animation by: Alexis Gideon and Cynthia Star Character design and fabrication by: Alexis Gideon and Cynthia Star Costume design and fabrication by: Alexis Gideon, Cynthia Star, Tasha Zack, and Matylda Osceola Set design and fabrication by: Alexis Gideon, Cynthia Star, Jamin London Tinsel , Tasha Zack, and Melody Owen Based on the short works of Lord Dunsany Written by: Alexis Gideon and Jacob Rubin Music composed, performed, and produced by: Alexis Gideon Directed by: Alexis Gideon

Video Musics lll: Floating Oceans
By Alexis Gideon
October 19th, 2013
Automata

Video Musics III: Floating Oceans is a 38-minute stop-motion animation video opera based on the works of the early 20th century Irish writer Lord Dunsany, and inspired by the time and dream experiments of the Irish physicist John William Dunne. The piece is dedicated to Flann O’Brien. Video Musics III: Floating Oceans contrasts the vivid dreams of its poet-protagonist with the foreboding routine of pedestrian life. Parts operate under the tow of dream logic. This work is the third in a series of animated video operas that reimagine myths and folklore through modern techniques. During screenings, the film is accompanied by live musical performance. The live music mirrors the action exactly, and the animated characters' mouths are perfectly in sync with the sung lyrics.