Technique Analysis: Walking and The Deconstruction of Pop-Cultural Conventions

Original artwork of "Abbey Road"

Everybody knows several conventions that have presented pop-culture throughout the years in the form of a synecdoche: a part represents the whole. As these conventions have become symbols of a certain period within pop-culture, all kinds of artists have altered the original and created a modified, more aesthetic expression of the same convention. For example, I've taken the ever-so-popular The Beatles' album cover of "Abbey Road", which is an ultimate representation of the rampant 70s and even 80s, as rock was perceived as something majestic and godly which infused the masses with energy and vigor. Many artists have mimicked this image, developing a new essence upon it, however this animated version of The Beatles walking eternally down the pedestrian cross-walk has captured my interest and attention.


With this animated GIF image,

Animated re-edit of "Abbey Road"

the heroes of Abbey Road are brought to life from a motionless picture, achieving an even greater sense of vivacity. In a way, it elaborates upon the notion that conventions such as these are timeless, hence their never-ending walk. Furthermore, every member exhibits a different walking pattern (one nonchalant, the other head-down, etc...), which portrays how different walking movements of characters insinuates a different emotion or characteristic that defines them. They are all animated through a puppet-warp technique, where visual clips are manipulated through pivot points, making them more real. Conclusively, this animated GIF shows the progression of modern-day animation, the malleable deconstructive notion of pop-culture, and the rejuvenation of something that might have disappeared with age. Astounding.