Yanmeeyarr (Vicki Couzens, 2020) at entrance to The Story of the Moving Image. Photo Credit: Gareth Sobey
Yanmeeyarr (which means "flickering in the firelight") is a multipart artwork created by Keerray Woorroong Gunditjmara artist Vicki Couzens to greet and farewell visitors to the exhibition. Couzens was inspired by the way that shadow, light and movement are used by Australia's First Peoples to tell stories and share culture. She describes her work in terms of inclusion and connection -- "The viewer in movement and reflection becomes part of the dance, as the figures become animated."
Some embedded content has been omitted:
Vicki Couzens uses light and shadow to tell moving image stories by ACMI
View here: https://youtu.be/d5lHQ2p3rRQ
Discover and explore
1. Watch the video (above) and listen to what Vicki Couzens has to say about her work. As a class, discuss what you have learned about what Vicki Couzens' wanted to achieve in creating this work.
2. How does Yanmeeyarr connect First Nations storytelling in Australia with the moving image?
Respond and reflect
3. During  your visit to The Story of the Moving Image, remember to look up to see Yanmeeyarr as you enter. Make sure you move as you look. That way you will animate the dancing figures with the help of the huge textured lens.
4. When you leave, you will see the dancing figures that have come down from the ceiling and are now on the wall. Vicki Couzens wanted the shiny metal surface and the white markings to create a sense of movement as you walk past and see your reflection.
Exhibition highlight: Shadow Play
Shadow play. Photo credit: Eugene Hyland
The discovery of fire not only banished the darkness and provided warmth, but allowed people to shape their imaginations by projecting shadows.
When you visit The Story of the Moving Image, you can relive the origins of the moving image by casting and transforming your own shadow. You'll be delighted and surprised by the strange and changing shapes you make.
Magic Lanterns
Magic lantern slides and projectors. Photo credit: Shannon McGrath
The magic lantern is a projection device dating back to the early 1600s. You can find many beautiful magic lantern slides and projectors displayed in The Story of the Moving Image.
Up until the invention of the electric light, light was limited and precious, especially in winter. Watching a magic lantern show where fantastical images were projected out of the darkness would have been exciting and special. Some magic lanterns were designed to create a sense of movement, often by the use of two slides.
Magic lantern shows might tell a funny story, educate people on science or geography or present a scary mystery. The projected image was often just one part of the show, with sound, music and special effects adding to the experience.
At the end of the 1800s, toy magic lanterns were sometimes given to children as a present so they could hold their own magic lantern shows. These toys used oil or kerosene for their light!
Discover and explore
5. There were many different kinds of magic lantern shows. Discover some of the different topics covered by visiting the ACMI website to see a sample selection of the slides we display in our exhibition: https://www.acmi.net.au/works/100533--magic-lantern-slides/
6. The person who used to operate the magic lantern and put on a show was called a lanternist. What kind of magic lantern show would you create if you were a lanternist? What music, sound and special effects would you add to make an exciting show?
Respond and reflect
7. During your visit, take the time to look at the wall of magic lantern slides. Which ones stand out most for you?
8. Create a design for your own set of magic lantern slides. If you feel super-keen, you could draw your designs onto plastic sheets with felt-tip markers and then use a torch to project them onto the wall.
9. Imagine you lived long ago before movies and TV were invented and you watched a magic lantern show for the first time. Write a letter to a friend and tell them what you saw, and how it made you feel.
Exhibition highlight: Biunial Magic Lantern
Bi-unial magic lantern. Photo credit: Egmont Contreras, ACMI
ACMI's bi-unial magic lantern is very special. Bi-unial means it has two lenses. This meant that the lanternist could place one slide over another to create the illusion of movement. Make sure you look out for the scene projected onto the wall by ACMI's bi-unial lantern in our exhibition.
Animation Toys
Looking through a phenakistiscope. Photo credit: Eugene Hyland
In the 1800s, factories began making lots of goods for people to buy, including toys for children. All those years ago, a child might receive an animation toy as a present for their birthday or at Christmas. They might be given: a phenakistiscope , a zoetrope , a thaumatrope , a toupie-fantoche , a flipbook , or a praxinoscope theatre . These toys had such great names! Have a go at pronouncing them.
We have examples of all of these toys on display in The Story of the Moving Image so that you can see how they work.
Look carefully at each of them and think about how they have been designed and what makes them create the optical illusion of animation.
Discover and explore
10. Choose one of the following animation toys to research: phenakistiscope, zoetrope, thaumatrope, toupie-fantoche, flipbook, or praxinoscope.
11. Find out how your animation device works and then try to explain it to a friend.
12. Create a PowerPoint presentation, poster or pamphlet that explains what your chosen animation device is and how it works.
Respond and reflect
13. During your visit to ACMI, take the time to play with the animation toys on display. Then focus on the device you chose to explore before your visit. Do you notice anything that surprises you? Does your chosen toy work the way you thought it would? Describe the animation created by your toy.
14. As well as many traditional animation toys, The Story of the Moving Image also has a digital 3D zoetrope. When it stops, check out all the 3D models and work out how the animation is created. Notice how the animation doesn't begin until the lights start flashing. Why do you think this is the case?
15. Did you know you can make your own thaumatropes and flipbooks? Check out our Blinky Bill Activity Pack for some inspiration. https://www.acmi.net.au/education/school-program-and-resources/blinky-bill-activity-pack/
Make your own thaumatrope inspired by The Story of the Moving Image
