GIF Experiments: 8 (One line from a vignette)
by Steven McCabe
Because I created such a large number of digital images… to accompany the second vignette from page 70 in Meme-Noir, I decided to create separate GIFs. In this first GIF I use the first line of the vignette only, and approach the words from various angles. How memory repeats significant conversations that perhaps didn’t go the way they could have. That will be more clear in the second GIF to come.
*
*
I appreciate the funding from the Digital Originals program to create GIFS from my recent book Meme-Noir.
poemimage 
I’m really enjoying your new project, Steven. I went to your book to check out the vignette this came from. These images beautifully capture its essence. They made me think of the static frequencies of the car radio as a distraction from the heart of a message, all the mental gymnastics one goes through to avoid dealing with uncomfortable emotions, and the inevitable replays to see how things could have been different. As always, your images open portals through which viewers can explore their own depths.
Thank you Jeanie. I appreciate your words and that you investigated this vignette. I thought about the word ‘portal’ while watching the GIF again. I saw spirals and windows – openings and invitations. When I edit my writing I’m always aware of those ‘qualifiers’ that separate me (and the reader) from the experience or event being described. So the same challenge, although visually now, must exist of how to ‘see’ without creating barriers. The words Visual Poetry come to mind. And ideally, as you say, capture the essence. Even in digital (conceptual?) images the emotional, to me, is textural, so I try to show surfaces that are not shiny and impenetrable. Your thoughts about static (on the car radio) as a ‘distancer’ (fog?) also ring true. One tries to be true, one cannot see the future or look back from the end of their life. And one is not the same as one will be ten years later. Thank you for your thoughts, as always I am inspired to investigate by your observations.