about
Deanna Morse is an active media artist specializing In experimental animation. Her diverse films have screened internationally, are on Sesame Street, and are in museum permanent collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a contemporary, and pioneering film and video artist, she is cited in several books about new media, storytelling, and experimental animation.
She is President of ASIFA, the oldest international animation organization. In 2020, Deanna was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Short Films and Feature Animation).
Arts community organizer. Spokesperson for peace and international communications. Champion for native plants. Animation artist.
career highlights
Pioneer in using computer graphics for artistic pursuits
Began exhibiting video installations in 1989
Sandpaintings was first film to use the VPL data glove for motion capture animation
Award-winning move click move artist DVD, 2001
Prolific. Created a film each year since the early 1970’s
One-person shows in Croatia, China, Greece, Indonesia, Hungary, Ukraine, and the USA
Films exhibited internationally, permanent collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art, schools, aired on Sesame Street
Featured in books: Animation: a World History, Ideas for the Animated Short, Experimental Animation and Women in Animation
artistic approach
Created frame by frame, her current art series manipulates time, considering what is between the frames, exploring distinctive elements to the process of animation. Time is is altered. It is condensed, to move very fast. Or… meditatively slow.
Natural sounds are used as if they were musical elements. Bird sounds are prominent. Carefully edited, sound-image relationships are foregrounded.
Traditionally, she explored materials and techniques, embracing new technology, pushing the limitations.
Playing in unexpected spaces, at a Presidential museum, inside an aquarium, a karaoke bar, a lingerie store, through a peephole or projected on buildings, her experimental films have challenged notions of traditional theatergoing.
selected honors
Invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 2020
Selected as the Outstanding Woman in the Arts, YWCA Tribute! Award, 2005
Outstanding Alumni Award: Citation of Merit from CLAS, Iowa State University, 1996
Distinguished Contribution in a Discipline Award, Grand Valley State University, 1995
Distinguished Faculty Award, Michigan Association of Governing Boards of State Universities, 1993
Animation: A World History
Deanna Morse was featured as one of four independent animators: Women in the Limelight in the new edition of World Animation by Giannalberto Bendazzi.
Her irony is soft and gentle, miles from sarcasm... populated by swans, cats, seagulls, stars, flowers, plants and smiling faces.
Giannalberto Bendazzi, Women in the Limelight, Animation: A World History
excerpt from page 46
Ideas for the Animated Short
The abstract and experimental film work of Deanna Morse is featured in a new book about finding and building stories in animation. Ellen Besen conducted the interview on the adventurous nature of the alternative side of animation.
full interview available