{"id":32956,"date":"2025-05-30T12:00:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T10:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stellmach.com\/?p=32956"},"modified":"2025-10-10T15:55:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T13:55:14","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_1760104359995{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]To celebrate the 800th anniversary<\/strong> of Straubing\u2019s Neustadt district, I was commissioned by the Mayor of Straubing<\/strong> to realize a special project: The Spinning History<\/strong> \u2013 a creative animation initiative that was deliberately not conceived as a traditional animated film<\/strong>, but as anunusual live\u00a0 presentation.<\/strong>\u00a0In collaboration with the Vocational High School of Straubing (FOSBOS, Department of Design)<\/strong>, a several-month zoetrope workshop<\/a><\/strong> was held. The results were presented in a Spinning Animation Show<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 a hybrid of exhibition and live performance \u2013 accompanied by a cinematic soundtrack<\/strong>. The premiere took place on June 21, 2018<\/strong>, under the official title \u201cThe Spinning History<\/strong>\u201d.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”City History in a Zoetrope \u2013 Animation Workshop at FOSBOS Straubing” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1756039719209{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756115417972{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]The workshop was conducted at the Vocational High School of Straubing (FOSBOS, Department of Design)<\/strong> in cooperation with the City Hall of Straubing<\/strong>. Over several months, 24 students<\/strong> created 80 short loop animations<\/strong> on key events from Straubing\u2019s history \u2013 supported by five dedicated teachers<\/strong>. The animations were drawn on paper strips, cardboard discs, and plexiglass plates<\/strong>, and later presented during the Spinning Animation Show<\/strong> using zoetropes<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>praxinoscopes<\/a><\/strong>, and rotating discs under stroboscopic light. In this way, a city history through a zoetrope<\/strong> came to life, where static drawings were transformed into moving scenes with the simplest of means.[\/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_1759767349478{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Excerpt from the film version of The 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_1756103591441{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]The workshop<\/strong> was based on a curated list<\/strong> of historically significant events<\/strong>, developed in collaboration with the city archivist<\/strong>. Students first translated these stories into sketches<\/strong> and storyboards<\/strong> and finally into animated sequences<\/strong> \u2013 using paper strips, cardboard discs<\/strong>, and plexiglass cylinders<\/strong>. A compact introductory course<\/strong> on the principles of animation<\/strong> accompanied the creative process and linked media history<\/strong> and city history<\/strong> with artistic expression<\/strong>.[\/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_1748609123390{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Report by Niederbayern TV
\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_1748609138581{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Report by the Bavarian Broadcast TV
\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_1760104392578{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]The highlight<\/strong> of the project was a live presentation <\/strong>\u2013 a format I call the Spinning Animation Show<\/strong> \u2013 under the title The Spinning History<\/strong>, presented at the venue Alter Schlachthof<\/strong>. In this immersive analog show, eight rotating record players<\/strong>, some equipped with zoetropes<\/strong> and praxinoscopes<\/strong>, brought the animations to life in sync with a composed sound collage<\/strong>. Each station was fitted with 360-degree loudspeakers<\/strong> and a multi-channel sound system<\/strong>, transforming the space into a \u201cspinning\u201d exhibition of city history<\/strong>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Four Performances in One Day \u2013 For Students and the Public” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1756104082312{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1760104412594{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]On June 21, 2018, The Spinning History<\/strong> was performed four times<\/strong>: two morning shows<\/strong> for school classes<\/strong> and two public resentations<\/strong> in the afternoon and evening<\/strong>. Each performance attracted around 100 visitors<\/strong>. Mayor Markus Pannermayr<\/strong> officially opened the event and acknowledged its cultural importance<\/strong> for the city<\/strong>.[\/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_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Animated Birthday Cake as a Surprise Finale” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1754227670919{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756103857480{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]One particularly memorable element of this creative history project was the animated birthday cake<\/strong>: a 65-centimeter-high Styrofoam pyramid<\/strong> on which several animations ran simultaneously. At the top, a plasticine figure<\/strong> of myself spun around \u2013 a humorous surprise<\/strong> by the students<\/strong> as a personal homage<\/strong>.[\/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_single_image image=”33030″ img_size=”full” css=”” qode_css_animation=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1751372426339{margin-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Rotating birthday cake<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Low-Threshold, Practical Design” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1756103893584{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1760104439122{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]Despite the complex logistics<\/strong>, City History in a Zoetrope<\/strong> \u2013 The Spinning History<\/strong> was deliberately designed to be low-threshold<\/strong> and student-friendly<\/strong>. During the presentation, the students<\/strong> themselves operated the devices<\/strong>, exchanged the animated paper strips and discs<\/strong>, and were supported by monitor displays<\/strong> \u2013 all with minimal technical effort<\/strong>. It became a successful example of how analog animation<\/strong> can be taught in a practical and inclusive way<\/strong>.[\/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_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_1756122483858{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]In 2025<\/strong>, I developed a 35-minute educational film<\/strong> based on the project, containing all 80 animation loops.<\/strong> With original music, contextual intertitles<\/strong>, and short voice-over explanations<\/strong> that briefly describe each historical event in one or two sentences, the film brings the experience of City History in a Zoetrope<\/strong> into the classroom<\/strong>. It will soon be used by the City of Straubing<\/strong> and local schools<\/strong> as multimedia teaching material<\/strong> for city history<\/strong>.[\/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 through Animation” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1756104418745{margin-bottom: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1756108616689{margin-bottom: 16px !important;}”]The Spinning History<\/strong> successfully combined artistic work, practical learning,<\/strong> and local history education<\/strong>. For many students<\/strong>, it was the first time they had participated in a long-term collaborative creative project<\/strong>. The final applause<\/strong> clearly reflected their pride<\/strong> and sense of ownership<\/strong>.[\/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_1754229036836{margin-bottom: 8px !important;}”]<\/p>\n