30 May Spinning History – An Animated City History Brought to Life by Zoetropes
Creative Animation Project for Straubing's 800th Anniversary
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.
Animation Workshop with Zoetropes at FOSBOS Straubing
In collaboration with the Technical and Vocational College Straubing (FOSBOS/department of design) and the town hall of Straubing, a months-long 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.
From Storyboards to Moving Drawings
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.
Live Performance with Analog Animation Techniques
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.
Animated birthday cake as the grand finale
A standout feature was the animated birthday cake – a 50-centimeter tall rotating styrofoam pyramid that displayed several animations simultaneously. On top: a clay figure of myself spinning with the structure.
Technical Challenges and Low-Barrier Setup
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.
Four Spinning-Animation-Shows in One Day – For Schools and the Public
On 18 June 2018, The Spinning History was performed four times: twice in the morning for school classes and one each in the afternoon and evening for the general public. Mayor Markus Pannermayr officially opened the event.
Film Version of the Show
Six years after the performance, I invested time and resources into creating a 35-minute film version featuring all 80 animations. The 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 class-rooms as a multimedia tool for teaching local history.
Impact and Conclusion
This project successfully combined hands-on artistic practice, media history, and local cultural education. For many students, it was their first time engaging in a long-term collaborative project – and the final applause reflected their pride and ownership of the work.
Curious? Here are Some Useful Links:
- Read more about my zoetrope workshop.
- Discover my Animated-Film-Show.
- My blog shares impressions from my past activities.
- See a list of my past events.
Pictures of the workshop
Excerpt: making of the zoetrope workshop
(in German)
Report by the Bavarian Broadcast TV
(in German)
Production photos
Report by Niederbayern TV
(in German)
Trailer of The Spinning History
Excerpt of The Spinning History
(in German)
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.
Animation Workshop and Production at FOSBOS Straubing
In collaboration with the Technical and Vocational College Straubing (FOSBOS/department of design) and the town hall of Straubing, a months-long 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
From Storyboards to Moving Drawings
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)
Live Performance with Analog Animation Techniques
The highlight of the project was the 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
Artistic Installations and Special Effects
A standout feature was the animated birthday cake – a 50-centimeter tall rotating styrofoam pyramid that displayed several animations simultaneously. On top: a clay figure of myself spinning with the structure.
Technical Challenges and Low-Barrier Setup
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)
Four Spinning-Animation-Shows in One Day – For Schools and the Public
On 18 June 2018, The Spinning History was performed four times: twice in the morning for school classes and one each in the afternoon and evening for the general public. Mayor Markus Pannermayr officially opened the event.
Trailer of The Spinning History
Film Version of the Show
Six years after the performance, I invested time and resources into creating a 35-minute film version featuring all 80 animations. The 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 class-rooms as a multimedia tool for teaching local history.
Excerpt of the show The Spinning History
(in German)
Impact and Conclusion
This project successfully combined hands-on artistic practice, media history, and local cultural education. For many students, it was their first time engaging in a long-term collaborative project—and the final applause reflected their pride and ownership of the work.
Curious? Here are Some Useful Links:
- Read more about my zoetrope workshop.
- Discover my films or my Animated-Film-Show.
- My blog shares impressions from my past activities.
- See a list of current and past events.
- Can’t wait to own a zoetrope? Click here for a zoetrope craft kit.