Svetlana Wunnenberg: The M(a)notonist

Artist Statement

Goosebumps are how art knocks on doors that should be windows. Stimulating experiences, touching stories, unknown environments and thought provoking realizations all poke at walls we may not recall building. My work utilizes both fantastic and mundane elements to explore this in our lives. Telling a fictional story omits any knowledge or presumption and allows an audience to observe the narrative, thus also digesting the intertwined concept. Maintaining a mundane man, despite this fictional story, diverts and redirects any straying attention back to the narrative. In this animation I wanted to exemplify the idea of breaking free from an unrealized monotony. It walks the line of fear and beauty just as all big life changes touch within both. The setting is a hybrid of underwater and outer space, both terrifying in their lack of light, warmth and knowledge, yet beautiful in their lack of weight, sound and again, knowledge. I push further this multi-platform of setting and concept through multiple creative processes. This began as a story I had written that prompted illustrations, which then were photographed, directed into an animation, and finally edited to consume. Storytelling from multiple styles is not only inclusive to different audiences but empowers the message that all the styles were rooted in: If one’s feet are seemingly glued to a monotonous day-to-day, remembering what gives them goosebumps will allow for that first step free.

2022 VADS - People's Choice Voting

About the Project

• Title of Work: The M(a)notions
• Medium: Six and a half minute stop-motion animation.
• Student's Name: Svetlana Wunnenberg
• Major: Art
• Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2022
• Hometown: Wentzville, MO, United States
• Student's Mentor: Anna Wehrwein
• Mentor's Department: Painting