If you thought you’d seen everything, check out this video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518XP8prwZo. This incredible “sand animation” is performed by Kseniya Simonova, the 2009 winner of the Ukraine “Got Talent” television series,. Simonova’s performance tells the story of life during WWII, explaining the emotional reactions of some of the audience. Ukraine was the area most devastated by the war, even more than Germany. It was a conflict that saw nearly one in four Ukrainians killed. Ukraine sustained almost 20% of all the causalities suffered during WWII. The scene ends in 1945, with the death of Hitler and the end of a long war.The text at the end where they’re staring at the sailor’s ghost says: “You are always nearby”. The 24-yr-old artist’s prize was 1,000,000 Ukrainian hryvnia, approximately $125,000. I’ve never seen a sand art performance like this and found it very moving.
Wow – that was amazing. The way she makes something (or someone), then turns it into something else is just fantastic.
Can you imagine our show allowing someone 8:33 to do sand animation? Not likely.
You’re right, Jeff. That sand animation was amazing! American audiences have short attention spans so the performance would have to be cut to a minute or two.
Have you read the book THE REST IS NOISE? (Ross). Still on for the 16th? Any restaurant ideas? Time? I don’t seem to have your email. Thus this.
Yes, we’re still on for the 16th, Patti. Let’s meet in the lobby of the hotel around 5 PM and go from there. We can figure out where to eat fairly quickly. I have a copy of THE REST IS NOISE, but haven’t gotten around to reading it yet.
My friend tells me it is very good. She’s listening on tape as she drives to work. Eighteen of them.
All the reviews of THE REST IS NOISE I’ve seen have been extremely positive. I’m moving it up my Read Real Soon stack, Patti.
Hmmm, George, this seems to be turning into a social networking site…
We’re all very social on this site, Rick.
I saw a video of a sand animation a year or so ago, I don’t recall who the artist was, could have been this same person. It was a loose story about a farm, crops, horses, weather and storms. It was about three minutes and incredible. Wish now I’d saved a link.
This is a highly specialized and very difficult art form.
When I saw Kseniya Simonova’s sand animation performance, I was blown away, Rick. I’d never seen anything like it. I’m glad she won the money and gets more world exposure.