Snowflake
Karosta [LV] - Stopmotion-animation

About a Russian - marked by the death of close relatives - and the story of a snowflake

Technique
Stopmotion: moving objects frame by frame
Location: Cultural center K@2 in Karosta (Latvia)

Context
This animation is a result of a workshop I gave to a group of Russian youngsters in the former war harbor Karosta in December of 2001. The location of the story is a room of the K2 center with a collection of Sovjet objects, found in and around the Karosta area. This room, also known as 'The Soviet Museum' was the starting point of the animation. Because of the severe winter of 2001 [-20 C], the story got its final form.

Story
It is snowing. A man in military uniform, walks through his room. Standing in front of his window, he follows the white snowflakes. Fascinated by the movement and the story of the snowflake, he discovers that his life isn't as dark as he thought is was.

According to Russians, snow has a special meaning. Snowflakes that fall and melt are a magical phenomenon. In their short life - coming from outer space, another planet or another life - they seem to have a mission. If you listen carefully, you hear they tell a story. But, the only person who is able to forget about his daily life is able to hear their voice.

January 2003