Nicolas Ménard has a very interesting geometric aesthetic. His animations seem to be mainly on a two dimensional plane and look like moving graphics. This short film entitled ‘Somewhere’ tells a quiet and subtle story of two people who are very far away from each other but still feel connected. The man who appears to be an astronaut in space is missing an arm. Back home, his suggested lover is hanging onto his arm, stroking it and sleeping with it.
Ménard’s simple use of colour is refreshing. His layout designs are mysterious and illustrative. These designs are breathtaking and remind me more of illustrations than an animation background.
The astronaut strokes some flowers in a meadow. At the same time, his other arm strokes his lover’s hair at home. This scene makes me cry.
This shot is a very tender and intimate one. There are 8 panels of various limbs intertwined and one panel in the centre of two abstract objects (one red, one white) embracing each other.
The imagery in this short film does not contain a lot of movement which pulls the emphasis to the small moments of tenderness that matter as well as the designs of the characters and layouts.
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In terms of Ménard’s personal aesthetic, his work really reminds me of George Dunning’s Yellow Submarine.
Very simple, Geometric and a touch of abstract.
Nicolas Ménard [Online] Available from: http://nicolasmenard.tumblr.com (Accessed 06/11/15).
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