A soil with a beating heart.
A leaven that is a seed of Earth.
The Earth that is the beginning.
Impression in clay that shows the energy of the Earth.

Thoughts from artist Zuzanna Michalska on her piece Levain

How would you describe your practice?

In my work I focus mainly on abstract forms that, when turned into motion, can tell stories, provoke associations and show inner emotions. For me, it is more natural to show my emotions in abstract forms than put them into stories. That is why I like to focus more on rhythm, colors and movement.

What was the inspiration behind this piece?

I wanted to try a different material, because usually I animate using oil pastels and oil paint. I have chosen clay because it is one of the most organic materials you can imagine. The smell and magical feeling when you touch clay made me aware of the fact that I am really touching earth. While making this short animation I didn’t have a plan; usually I prefer to go with the flow, but in this situation I was also going through an animation crisis, so the whole movie happened as a result of that. Finally, I focused on the idea of the beating heart of earth – the rhythm and ambiguous shapes and images that everyone may notice in soil.

What do you believe is the role of art and the artist?

For me, art is the way of expressing your inner energy, but in fact you can do this in any other field – it depends only on what needs you have and where you want to put your energy.

What about Neon Door led you to submit?

I found it accidentally and became curious about the idea of an exhibition that is taking place in a mysterious online space.

Image is a still from Levain by Zuzanna Michalska

Zuzanna Michalska is a student of animation at the University of Arts in Poznań. She is interested in experimental and abstract animation, especially in the idea of non-figurative shapes and forms that, turned into motion, can tell stories, provoke association and show emotions.

Instagram: @talerz.ziemniaczkow