{"id":32956,"date":"2026-06-12T19:00:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T17:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stellmach.com\/?p=32956"},"modified":"2026-06-12T21:40:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T19:40:52","slug":"the-spinning-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stellmach.com\/en\/blog-reports\/the-spinning-history\/","title":{"rendered":"The Spinning History \u2013 A Zoetrope Animation Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1648732309488{border-top-width: 0px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1751111960761{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #EAEAEA !important;}”][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1750675650342{border-top-width: 0px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781285913116{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]To celebrate the 800th anniversary of Straubing\u2019s Neustadt district, the City of Straubing commissioned The Spinning History<\/strong>. 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<\/a><\/strong> that ran over several months. The results were presented in a Spinning Animation Show<\/a><\/strong>, accompanied by a cinematic soundtrack. The premiere took place on June 21, 2018.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Zoetrope Workshop at FOSBOS Straubing” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1781285929212{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781292249752{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]Over several months, 24 students created 80 short animation loops inspired by significant events from Straubing\u2019s history, supported by four dedicated teachers. The animations were drawn on paper strips, cardboard discs, and plexiglass plates, which were later presented in zoetropes<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>praxinoscopes<\/a><\/strong>, and on rotating discs under stroboscopic light. In this way, historical events were turned into short animated scenes and presented as moving images.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”]

\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781287320793{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Excerpt from the film version of
\nThe Spinning History<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”From Storyboards to Animated Discs” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1754226830168{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781286024036{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]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.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”]

\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781287252449{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Report about
\nThe Spinning Animation Show<\/strong>
\n(in German)<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text]

\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781286905354{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Report about the workshop process
\n(in German)<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Live Show with Historical Animation Devices” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1754226989623{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781286047067{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]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\u2019s history.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Students as Part of the Performance” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1781286064347{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781286563274{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]Realizing The Spinning History<\/strong> 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.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”]

\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1748607034501{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Trailer of The Spinning History<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”33030″ img_size=”full” css=”” qode_css_animation=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781287193345{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Rotating birthday cake
\npresented at the end of the show<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text]

\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1748609076309{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Excerpt: making of the zoetrope workshop
\n(in German)<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”From Live Event to Educational Film” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1756104302152{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781293250967{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]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.[\/vc_column_text]

\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>[vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1758459187483{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Complete film version of The Spinning History<\/strong>
\n(in German)<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Conclusion: A Model Project for Cultural Education” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1781286180651{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781286808690{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]The Spinning History<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”32978,31003,33032,31009,32988,32986″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1750706254444{margin-top: 4px !important;margin-bottom: -130px !important;}” direction_nav=”yes” control_nav=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1758458956907{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Photos of the workshop<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”31005,31025,31027,31013,31007,32984,33039,33041,32982,31011″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1748629330684{margin-top: 4px !important;margin-bottom: -130px !important;}” direction_nav=”yes” control_nav=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1758458942859{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Photos of the show<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Interested in Zoetrope Projects? Here Are Some Useful Links:” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1754228750821{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1781292621376{margin-bottom: 8px !important;}”]<\/p>\n