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Kayla Lehman Thesis Document.pdf (4.62 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Self in Progress: Designing an Animated Mental Health Narrative Inspired by the Principles and Aesthetics of Surrealism

Lehman, Kayla Elisabeth
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu165426510010221

Abstract Details

2022, Master of Fine Arts, Ohio State University, Design.
The animated short film Self in Progress investigates how the aesthetics of Surrealism and Surrealist animation can be used as inspiration for visualizing an animated film centered around a woman’s journey with anxiety and mental illness. This paper documents the secondary research regarding Surrealist art and animation and mental illness representations in media that informed the film project, the film production process, and an assessment of the project outcomes. Animation is an excellent medium for portraying narratives about mental illness because the animator can create imaginative, dream-like imagery to portray a character’s emotions and internal experiences in ways that would be difficult to achieve in live action film. As part of the project, I surveyed the works of Surrealist artists and animators, such as Salvador Dali, Leonora Carrington, and Jan Svankmajer, and identified key components of Surrealist art and animation, such as metamorphosis, double imagery, and dream logic, and used these principles to visualize the narrative. I explored the central research questions of how to portray narratives of mental illness through animation and how Surrealist aesthetics can support and enhance that narrative through practice-based research. This project could serve as inspiration for other artists seeking to discuss mental illness in their works and for artists that are interested in synthesizing historic and modern artistic practices.
Kyoung Swearingen (Committee Chair)
Mary Anne Beecher (Committee Member)
Maria Palazzi (Committee Member)
99 p.
Design
animation; mental health; mental illness; Surrealism;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lehman, K. E. (2022). Self in Progress: Designing an Animated Mental Health Narrative Inspired by the Principles and Aesthetics of Surrealism [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu165426510010221

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lehman, Kayla. Self in Progress: Designing an Animated Mental Health Narrative Inspired by the Principles and Aesthetics of Surrealism. 2022. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu165426510010221.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lehman, Kayla. "Self in Progress: Designing an Animated Mental Health Narrative Inspired by the Principles and Aesthetics of Surrealism." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu165426510010221

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu165426510010221
491
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.