In this creative research project, I focus on the representation of animation techniques from the Golden Age of American animation and consider how these frames go ‘unseen’ by the viewer in standard viewing practice.

I argue that these techniques are the fleeting ‘moments’ that give meaning to animated movement and enhance the visual style of the animation. But due to the technical nature of cinema, they are never actually seen by the viewer.

I therefore ask, how can the animator exploit these ‘moments’ that are barely visible to an audience? And if exposing these ‘unseen’ frames proves effective, what would it reveal about the movement itself?

For my experimental short film and art exhibition, I expand on the strata-stencil animation technique to reveal movement for the viewer in a deliberately playful manner.

Together these works provoke the viewer to question their understanding of animated movement and the aesthetics involved in seeing more than one frame at a time.

I challenge the viewer to look at cartoons in a different way. It is about making the imperceptible, perceptible and raises questions about how sequential images speak to us.