Virtualization of Transport...Realization of Cryptids

Thinking about things cryptozoological and technological, the gremlin is a crafty cryptid candidate. These mischevious mythical creatures purportedly sabotaged Royal Air Force jets during WWII. Rarely causing major catastrophes-- instead 'nickel and diming' the pilots with minor glitches, malfunction and other annoyances. Spielberg aside, are there gremlins lurking in the shadows of cinema? Audio-visual media are a variety of transportion device, carrying away the spectator's attention, travelling it to new vistas. Errors and aberrations (gremlins of the crypto-zoetropical persuasion ) do their darndest to disrupt the official business of this virtual transport.

Animals and Animation

As native habitats were wiped out by increasing industrialization in the 19th century, animals were set in motion. Author Akira Mizuta Lippit suggests in his book Electric Animal that animals sought 'virtual shelter' in cinema--as animations. Adding a sense of urgency to Muybridge's motion studies, Lippit seems to imply that the famous photographer was creating an ark-ive (to be shot on twos no doubt). Today latter day animation outfits urgently, if only for economic concerns, "motion capture" actors' gestures, clone faces and synthesise voices --perhaps in an subconscious effort to save the human.

Following the animal-to-animation logic, we see today a dramatic return of the animal/animation. As cities and suburbs report rampant alligators, coyotes and other urban wildlife, there is also an explosive resurgence of animation. As animals return to cities, mobile devices bring animations (movies, websites, ads, GUIs, etc) in tow. the cybernetically fused animal/animation (re)stakes its claim.

"A man who is equipped like a territory is no longer an inhabitant; he becomes a habitat." - Virilio ( Crepuscular Dawn)

Cryptozoology

Cryptozoology, the study of hidden, or unknown animals is most famous for its alleged encounters with the Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster, and UFOs. Mythological and supernatural beasts might also fall under/into the cryptozoo, but it is these "missing links" that seem the most elusive and prized.

These cryptids are sustained phenomenally by an architecture of participation and belief, a network of social interactions that continue to mutate and nourish the cryptozoological set. Making sense out these marvelous creatures, as lurking metaphors for sites ( or sights) of counter-hegemonic media production, I will adopt the role of "cryptozoologist", situating myself betwixt cartography and conspiracy, between animal and animation