Sensorium

(2007 • 5 minutes)
Co-directed/co-produced by Karen Aqua & Ken Field
Animation: Karen Aqua
Music: Ken Field

A hand-drawn experimental animation exploring the relationship between music and image. Inspired by dance gestures and movements found in nature such as water and tide pools, the film is a study of sound/motion synthesis. An alphabet of abstract animated and musical gestures combine in various configurations to create a lush visual rhythm.

"Award-winning animator Karen Aqua joins forces with her musician husband Ken Field, and the result is an imaginative, experimental film exploring the relationship between music and image."

— Starz Denver Film Festival

"It is a graceful gift; a very elegant homage to Fischinger; restrained and mature; a breath of fresh air."

— George Griffin

"As its title suggests, Sensorium is a trippy, kaleidoscopic sojourn for the senses. A kind of Fantasia in miniature, Karen Aqua’s dreamscape features waltzing amoebas swirling amid bursts of brilliant color."

— Mark Griffin, The Boston Globe

Awards:

Black Maria Film & Video Festival, 2007: Director’s Choice Award

ASIFA-East Animation Awards, NYC, 2008: Excellence in Experimental Techniques

Festivals:

29th Starz Denver Film Festival, Official Selection (World Premiere)

Humboldt International Film Festival, California, 2007

PA Festival of Films, 2007

Visual Music Marathon, Boston, MA, 2007

Not Still Art Festival, Brooklyn, NY, 2007

Sheridan Film Festival, Wyoming, 2007

Melbourne International Animation Festival, Australia, 2007

Córdoba International Animation Festival, Argentina, 2007

Philadelphia Film Festival, 2008

Big Muddy Film Festival, Illinois, 2008

Athens International Film and Video Festival, Ohio, 2008

Bimini International Animated Film Festival, Latvia/Georgia, 2008

Anima Mundi, Brazil, 2008

Motion Graphics Festival, Cambridge/Boston, MA, 2009

Red Stick International Animation Festival, 2009

Kalamazoo Animation Festival International (KAFI), Michigan, 2009

Punto y Raya Festival, Madrid, Spain, 2011

Arlington Short Animation Film Festival, Arlington, MA, 2013

Arlington International Film Festival, Arlington, MA. 2013

Screenings:

Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA, 2007

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, 2007

Siggraph, 2009

Film Collection:

Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston

Credits:

Animation: Karen Aqua Music Composed by: Ken Field Post-Production: Francois Berelowitch Recording Engineer: Andy Pinkham Musicians:      Mimi Rabson: 5-string violin      Leslie Moye: cello      Carol Namkoong: piano      Phil Neighbors: drums