Spinning History – An Animated City History Brought to Life by Zoetropes

To celebrate the 800th anniversary of Straubing’s Neustadt district, I initiated a creative and educational art project that brings the history of the town to life through animation. Instead of producing a traditional animated film, we presented the city’s history as a unique live performance using historical optical devices like zoetropes and praxinoscopes. Our animated city history – staged with spinning optical devices – was fittingly called The Spinning History.

In collaboration with the Technical and Vocational College Straubing (FOSBOS/department of design) and the town hall of Straubing, a months-long zoetrope workshop – an animation workshop with zoetropes – was integrated into the school curriculum. Under my direction, 24 students created 80 short animation loops portraying historical events from Straubing’s past.

Pictures of the workshop

The project was based on a list of historically significant events compiled in cooperation with the city archivist. The students developed sketches, storyboards, and final animations using paper strips, cardboard discs, and plexiglass. A crash course in animation basics accompanied the creative process.

Report by the Bavarian Broadcast TV
(in German)

Excerpt: making of the zoetrope workshop
(in German)

The highlight of the project was a Spinning Animation Show or so called The Spinning History, performed live at the ‘Alte Schlachthof’ venue. Eight turntables equipped with optical devices spun the animation loops in sync with a specially composed soundtrack. Each station featured 360-degree speakers and a multi-channel sound system with effects.

Pictures of the Spinning Animation Show

A special highlight was the animated birthday cake – a 50-centimeter-high rotating styrofoam pyramid that displayed several animations at once. On top stood a clay figure of myself, spinning along with the cake – a surprise idea by the students in my honor.

Though the show had complex logistics, the setup was designed to be low-threshold and student-driven. Students swapped animation devices live during the show, guided by monitor displays. When one device failed the night before the premiere, it was fixed with a last-minute overnight rewiring session.

Report by Niederbayern TV
(in German)

On 18 June 2018, The Spinning History was performed four times – twice in the morning for school classes, and once in the afternoon and once in the evening for the general public, with around 100 people attending each performance. Mayor Markus Pannermayr officially opened the event.

Trailer of The Spinning History

In 2024, I invested time and resources into creating a 35-minute film version featuring all 80 animations. An original soundtrack, informative intertitles, and a narrator provide context for the historical scenes. The City of Straubing and local schools now plan to use the film in classrooms as a multimedia educational resource for teaching local history.

Excerpt of the show The Spinning History
(in German)

This project successfully combined hands-on artistic practice, media history, and local cultural education. For many students at the Technical and Vocational College Straubing, it was their first time participating in a long-term collaborative project – and the final applause reflected their pride and sense of ownership.