Stampfer Dreams

STAMPFER DREAMS is a homage to the scientist Simon von Stampfer, who presented his invention of the Stroboscopic Discs in Vienna in 1833. These discs show all kinds of animated loops from abstract to figurative and from (literally) experimental to documentary, and in this way forshadow the variety of genres in animated film. All characters and animated sequences in STAMPFER DREAMS are taken from / based on these “optical magic discs”. The film begins at the time and in the alpine environment of Simon's childhood and vaguely follows his biography. Starting from the sight of the wheel of a watermill, three “dreams” illustrate Simon’s visions of developments in technology and art from the age of the industrial revolution in the 19th century to the present day. (Thomas Renoldner)