Animated train painting

‘Train Track’ by Rob Pointon and BIGred Studio with Sheepstarr Music
This animation is a portrait of Sheep, the head of Sheepstarr Music - Local composer of diverse electronic soundscaping material. The composer succeeds in “creating an environmental audio experience. Alternative listening, which aims to engage the listener on different levels.”
This animation reflects Sheep’s audio perception of train travel and movement. The on board environment builds both visually and sonically to reflect the gathering of momentum on a moving train that has just begun its journey. The beat rate within the audio track is directly linked to the pace of the animation which creates a multi sensory hypnotic piece.
Using the intricate layering of synthesised sounds Sheep is able to respond to the unique but familiar artificial noises heard during train travel.
“Using dubbed beats arranged in a relentless but soothing manor, aims to relate to the stereotypical ‘click-a-de-click’ of the tracks heard by all of us who have ever used train services.”

The animation itself is all produced within the varying states of a single oil painting. Over 800 photographs were taken in a light controlled studio space, and then edited together with the music. The artist Rob Pointon was able to judge (by the amount of photographs taken) at what stage the painting was in relation to the audio. Pre-defined ‘hit points’ meant flurries of visual activity could be synchronised with the sound.

The concept of a moving figurative oil painting is rarely seen in modern culture, but is a very immediate and organic method of animation. The painting itself has been through a journey. Various portraits of Sheep (approximately 7 painted heads) now only exist within the animation, and can not be viewed in the final painting.
The sketchbook reflects Rob Pointon’s artistic creativity that arises during train travel. Scientists have linked brain stimulation to the rapid change of scenery in the peripheral vision. The wide angle letterbox view of this piece has consciously been adopted to bring the peripheries into play, and absorb the viewer in a complete 1st person experience.
This experience on board a train is psychologically quite bizarre. We sit in a confined, artificial environment with complete strangers and hurtle through the landscape at over 100 mph on a pre-defined course. A lot of people use music, played on personal stereos as an acceptable method of disengagement from their immediate surroundings. As the animation comes to a close and the music stops we see Sheep ‘unplug’ himself from the personal music player, a visual link to the end of this experience. The painting is now motionless, suggesting the train has reached it’s destination, and the music has served it’s purpose.
This piece is easily accessible and understood by any person who allows themselves to be engaged by it. The audio remains unobtrusive even when the piece is looped, thus it is ideal for a public / social environment.