Film wins Pixie Award

The American Pixel Academy has given a 2013 Platinum Pixie Award to an animated video installation by Deanna Morse, professor of film and video production in the School of Communications. The award, which recognizes outstanding creativity in motion graphics, effects, and animation, is for her video, “Skin,” which is currently on exhibit at the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park through January 6.

A review by Tamara Fox, assistant professor of art history at Kendall College of Art and Design, stated, “‘Skin’ scrolls through a series of images alternating between tree bark and hands of elderly individuals. Set to a gentle woodland soundtrack of insects, frogs, and birds, it creates a wonderful analogy between identity and surface. Just as the bark of a tree reveals its species and particular history, so too does the surface of one’s hands.”

The academy was founded by a coalition of professionals and educators in the field of pixel media, with the goal of connecting creative visual professionals in the pixel media with educators who are giving wings to the next generation of creative professionals. More than 1,150 Pixie Award entries came from throughout the U.S. and Canada. From them 158 pieces were selected for the Pixie Platinum Award, the highest level. An additional 151 entries were named as Pixie Gold Award winners.