Graf’Nitzs (Michäel Gaumnitz)

Eight short pieces of "electronic animation", bom from the encounter of a painter with a videographics tablet. Eight improvisations on a theme which relate an atmosphere, a climate, a mood, a reminiscence... In order to link up his constantly changing images with their creation. Michäel Gaumnitz has even derived an advantage from the limitations of a rudimentary palette: three basic colours (red, blue, green) and their complementary colours; some elementary functions (emergence, shifting, multiplication, erasure). Sometimes humorous, sometimes nostalgic, but always drawing from sources of an ever fertile imagination, these GRAF'NITZS make accessible a new means of expression in the form of a computer. As a successor to traditional animation cinema, they open up for painting new dimensions in time and space.

Born 1947 in Dresden/GDR; successfully took up several professions, amongst others cook, mason and professor.
In 1980 again took up the great love of his youth, painting, (which he had studied at the Hochschule für bildende Kunst in Berlin at the age of 20) and started as a free Student at ENSBA (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris). Since the end of 1984 Michäel Gaumnitz has devoted himself entirely to work with the graphic tablet.
In 1985 he received the "Culture et nouvelles techniques" award from the French Ministry of Culture as well as the "Special France" award at the Tokyo Video Festival. Since 1982 Michael Graumnitz has been present at many European galleries and festivals, first as a painter, then as video and animation artist.


Titles of the animations presented at Prix Ars Electronica '87:

1 "Le paradis perdu", Bry-sur-Marne 1986
2 "Cirque", Bry-sur-Marne 1986
3 "Tableaux d'une exposition”, Bry-sur-Marne 1986

The works were realized with the electronic paint system GRAPH 8 (x-com) and SOFRIG Software on an Apple II Computer.