Spinning Through History

Aniya Marie Mardorf

Medium: Wood, print, electronics.

Dimensions: N/A

Public Domain artwork referenced in this piece:

Disney, Walt, director. The Jazz Fool. Animation by Ub Iwerks. Distributed by Columbia Pictures, 1929.

Artist Statement

Spinning Through History is a modern reinterpretation of the classic zoetrope — one of the earliest forms of animation. This piece centers around the simple, joyful dance shared by Mickey and Minnie in Walt Disney’s The Jazz Fool, reflecting both the origins and evolution of animated storytelling.

The idea for this project emerged from my fascination with animation’s rich history and how far the medium has come. I was particularly inspired by early animation devices and the magic they created using only sequential images and motion. The zoetrope name comes from the Greek words “zoe” (life) and “tropos” (turning) meaning "wheel of life.” By bringing this historical device into a modern context, I sought to bridge the gap between past and present.

Construction of Spinning Through History:

Body: Constructed from wood, forming the traditional cylinder shape with evenly spaced slits around its surface.

Animation Strip: Designed using hand-drawn illustrations, which were engraved into stamps using a laser cutter.

Motor Mechanism: Powered by a single motor connected to a potentiometer, allowing for the piece to be turned on and off.

When spun, the zoetrope creates the illusion of movement. When looking, the brain fills in motion between sequential frames. This pre-film optical illusion remains one of the most iconic and beloved animation techniques. By adopting and updating it, I aim to celebrate its simplicity while highlighting its relevance in today's digital age.

Spinning Through History represents the recurrent nature of animation's development. The zoetrope has become a "wheel of animation”. The Jazz Fool sequence marks a pivotal moment in early film animation, and the spinning motion unites them, completing the "wheel of life." This project is a tribute to the origins of animated art, a celebration of its growth, and a playful nod to the continuing magic of bringing drawings to life.

About the Artist

Sophomore, Collaborative Arts, Tisch School of the Arts 

Aniya Marie Mardorf’s practice specializes in the exploration of techniques, mediums, and textures found across all strands of art. She is a New York native, multidisciplinary artist and designer with a passion for showing up, being seen, and connecting with her community of self-taught artists and innovative thinkers. She primarily focuses on understanding the idea, craft, and procedure behind a medium before pursuing it. With her unique style for illustrations, each piece she makes evokes feelings of playfulness and fun through the usage of vibrant colors and nostalgia. Her work is inspired by visual stories, nature, and fueled by her curiosity for animals.

A core driving force behind their practice is a desire to create for others. Every piece is meticulously made with the viewer in mind, crafted not as a personal outlet, but as a shared experience. Marie rarely creates for themselves, instead focusing on sparking curiosity, joy, and reflection in the people who encounter their work.

Committing to making meaningful experiences for others, Marie continues to experiment with form, mechanics, texture, and narrative. The art of making has been a way for her to explore unfamiliar concepts, revisit forgotten histories and learn the way of her craft every time.

Footnote

The Jazz Fool, directed by Walt Disney, is freely available online:

https://archive.org/details/dailymotion_x8pnuyp_600x448 

Citation:

Disney, Walt, director. The Jazz Fool. Animation by Ub Iwerks. Distributed by Columbia Pictures, 1929. https://archive.org/details/dailymotion_x8pnuyp_600x448.