The Spinning History – A Zoetrope Animation Project

To celebrate the 800th anniversary of Straubing’s Neustadt district, the City of Straubing commissioned The Spinning History. The project brought local history to life through a live performance using historical optical devices. In collaboration with the Vocational High School of Straubing (FOSBOS, Department of Design), I led a zoetrope workshop that ran over several months. The results were presented in a Spinning Animation Show, accompanied by a cinematic soundtrack. The premiere took place on June 21, 2018.

Over several months, 24 students created 80 short animation loops inspired by significant events from Straubing’s history, supported by four dedicated teachers. The animations were drawn on paper strips, cardboard discs, and plexiglass plates, which were later presented in zoetropes, praxinoscopes, and on rotating discs under stroboscopic light. In this way, historical events were turned into short animated scenes and presented as moving images.

The workshop was based on a selection of historically significant events developed in collaboration with the city archivist. The students first developed sketches and storyboards for their animations. Before beginning the animation process, they took part in a short introduction to the principles of animation and the use of historical optical devices such as the zoetrope and praxinoscope. They then turned their concepts into animated sequences.

Eight rotating record players equipped with zoetropes, praxinoscopes, and other optical devices showcased the animations in sync with a composed sound collage. The combination of moving images, music, and historical animation devices transformed the venue into a living exhibition of Straubing’s history.

Realizing The Spinning History required a high level of commitment and perseverance over many months. During the performance, the students operated the various animation stations, exchanged the animated paper strips and discs, and ensured that everything ran smoothly. In doing so, they became not only creators of the content but also active participants in the presentation itself.

The project later resulted in a 35-minute educational film containing all 80 animation loops. With original music, explanatory intertitles, and short voice-over commentaries explaining each historical event in one or two sentences, the film makes the animations and the history behind them accessible beyond the live performance. The City of Straubing acquired the film as a teaching resource for teaching local history.

Complete film version of The Spinning History
(in German)

The Spinning History brought together artistic practice, hands-on learning, and local history education. From the first sketches to the public presentation, the students were actively involved in every stage of the project.

The teachers played a key role in the project’s success. Thanks to their background in art and design, they supported the students throughout the entire process and enabled them to achieve high-quality results independently between workshop sessions.

For many students, it was the first time they had taken part in a long-term collaborative creative project. The final applause reflected both their pride in what they had achieved together and the strong sense of responsibility they had developed throughout the project.

• Read more about my Zoetrope Workshop
• Discover my Animated-Film-Show
• Visit my Events & Blog for more impressions
• Browse past animation workshops
• Explore past presentations
• Want to build your own zoetrope? Check out this zoetrope craft kit.