The Animated Worlds of David Lynch: A Tribute to a Master of 3D Animation

The Animated Worlds of David Lynch: A Posthumous Review

• The art scene was tragically shocked as David Lynch, the unparalleled artist, director and animator passed away unexpectedly.
• Despite recent news revealing his retirement from filmmaking due to an emphysema diagnosis, his sudden demise was totally unforeseen.
• Skwigly Animation Magazine published a tribute to Lynch’s world of animation, recounting his incredible journey and remarkable contributions to the world of art, especially in the field of 3D Animation.

The Man, The Myth, The Lynch

A Sleepy Loss in the World of Animation

Alright folks, in case you haven’t heard, the Art Maestro, David Lynch, has left the studio for the big canvas in the sky. And, no, he didn’t leave a note about where he hid his secret stash of otherworldly animation skills. No one saw it coming, much like one of his delightfully bizarre animation plots. It’s like he script-wrote this one, made the entire show in secret, and then suddenly presented the final act without warning.

But, as they say, the show must go on. So let’s dive into the labyrinth of Lynch’s animated universe, as showcased brilliantly by Skwigly Animation Magazine. The rabbit hole is dark and twisty, but hey, we’re not here for the ordinary, are we? Cue spooky theremin music and fetch the grooviest 3D glasses, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s immerse ourselves in the documented genius of Mr. Lynch, because heaven knows we aren’t getting any more content from him. Or are we? Dun-dun-duuunn!

The sudden demise of renowned artist David Lynch last week left the art community in a state of shock. Despite his recent battle with emphysema, nobody saw this coming. But as they say, a true artist never dies and their work continues to inspire. It is evident seeing numerous artists paying tribute to Lynch, discussing his influence on their journey and artistic endeavors. And while Lynch might be most remembered for his films and series, his passion for animation is worth noting, painting a clear theme throughout his career. In this blog, let’s delve into Lynch’s legacy – with a word of caution – potential spoilers ahead!

Lynch’s interaction with animation began during his film student years. At the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, his desire to animate paintings led to the creation of the 1967 installation “Six Figures Getting Sick“. It presented a looped animation on six sculpted heads, covered with vomit, adding a fun touch. But the process wasn’t smooth and Lynch almost quit filmmaking. But thank God! He decided otherwise, and his subsequent work “The Alphabet” was a testament to his love for experimenting with animation and live-action elements. Through his work, Lynch explored a variety of animation techniques that would later be showcased as a DVD feature titled 16mm.

A striking thing about Lynch was his readiness to ride the tide of changing times. He extensively used his official website to offer exclusive content to his fans including a whole eight-part Flash animated series titled Dumbland. Created for shockwave.com, this series was described by Lynch as “crude”, “dumb” and “very bad quality”“, fulfilling all its promises!

Lynch, a master of his craft, never shied away from commercial work, breathing life into ad projects with his signature style. His ident for Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album/tour was one such work, blending stop-motion with digital elements.

Fast forward to 2017, Lynch surprised us with his masterpiece, Twin Peaks: The Return. Unlike its predecessor, it didn’t dwell on nostalgia. It brought something fresh, novel, and totally Lynch-like – an explosion of eeriness and mysterious charm. Critics called it a true Lynch extravaganza and I couldn’t agree more.

What set Lynch apart was his audacious approach to animated VFX sequences – hyper-unreal, packed with flatness and bizarre motion paths. They might appear cheap, but reflecting on Lynch’s creativity across the years, it’s clear they are an intentional style choice.

With whispers of another project that never materialized, after The Return, Lynch continued to work on shorts like What Did Jack Do? on Netflix, web experiments, HD re-releases of earlier work, and various spots tied in with his musical projects. His last animated film was probably the 2015 short Fire (Pozar), another example of his unwavering passion for art and creativity.

While we may never witness another David Lynch, his enormous body of work – films, sculptures, music, and of course, his tryst with animation, will continue to inspire generations. As we conclude this blog, we hope that you too, delve deeper into the Lynchian universe and discover the wonderful strangeness it offers.


Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/david-lynch/