Melanie Micheli
N/A
Prompt: Students will design and create a 3D object or artifact that reflects their connection to a community or expresses an aspect of their identity, beliefs, or personality. The object can be a sculpture, a functional tool, or a body extension (such as an accessory, garment, or prosthesis). The aim is for the object to visually express feelings of belonging or connection to a particular community, whether chosen or inherent.
One particularly rich and creative community is the stop motion and claymation animation world. This community includes independent artists, studios like Laika, hobbyists, and fans who appreciate the tactile, handmade quality of this animation style. Growing up watching films like Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings, and ParaNorman, I was drawn into the magical realism and emotional storytelling that stop motion can uniquely achieve. As part of my own exploration into this world, I’m creating a hand-crafted wooden automata—a mechanical sculpture that brings movement to life through cranks and gears. The piece is inspired by the charm and personality of stop motion animation, connecting me physically and conceptually to the community that values storytelling through motion, detail, and craftsmanship.