Macabre Stop-Animation – Play With Me

Many of you have probably gathered by now that I have a particular appetite for dark art & animation, but especially when humor is involved. Some people may find the Interactive stop-animation, 'Play With Me' disturbing.

In 2002 Van Sowerwine collaborated with Melbourne based animator Isobel Knowles to create this incredible interactive feat. 'Play With Me' introduces a domestic scene starring an adorable doll. All seems perfectly innocent until the viewer is prompted to click on objects and lead her through a variety of traumatic sequences. She neurotically rocks herself, throws tantrums, scratches her hand until it bleeds, drinks draino and in one sequence she even scrapes out her own eyes. But the subtleties are what makes this animation. Her sad demeanor, expressive eyes and life like mannerisms are very convincing. This complimented by a dull screeching sound scape (composed by Cornel Wilczek & Phillip Pietruschka) draws the viewer into the life of a seriously disturbed child. Enjoy ;)