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The Parable of the Leaf BlowerThe Parable of the Leaf Blower, 2022
Computer Generated Animated Film | 11 minutes | 16:9 | No Spoken Word |
A slow, thoughtful and meditative animation with no spoken word. The film uses leaves as a metaphor for the cycles and rhythms of life. The rake/leaf blower as the approach we choose to take. The film wants us to slow down. It is a time to reflect on women’s roles, the environment, and our approach to life. The revolution will be quiet. |
Project Type:
Runtime: Completion Date: Project Budget: Country of Origin: Country of Filming: Language: Shooting Format: Film Colour: |
Animation, Experimental, Short, Fine Art
11 Minutes February 5, 2022 150 GBP Jersey Jersey English (None Spoken) Digitally Created Colour |
TOOLSThis work was commissioned for an online compendium for a book |
SOFTWARE: Image: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Animation: After Effects, AE Plugins: Duik Bassel, Motion 3 Sound: Audition, Plugin: Addictive Keys Creative Commons Sources (listed on film credits) HARDWARE: Razor Reconditioned Laptop (Windows 10), Plug-In USB Keyboard. |
STILLS
BACKSTORY
If it wasn’t for the damage the leafblower did to the environment and our ears, it could almost be seen as a humorous invention. A farcical Heath Robosonesque machine, shaped like an oversized penis. The images of groups of men, aimlessly waving them about is ubiquitous in the cities and countryside of western civilization. I’m yet to see a woman using one. Many eastern countries, even the ones leading the way in modern technology, quite wisely have retained the use of the wooden rake. A tool that goes back millennia, both beneficial to people and the environment, and certainly more efficient in the majority of applications. Leaf Blowers must rank as the laziest ill throughout invention or they are simply an exercise in profit-making? A device, like western capitalist society, that takes more than it gives. It fills the air with noise pollution whilst denuding and compacting the soil. Petrol blowers can spew out more pollution than trucks. My theory is that the only reason they are still in production is capitalism. They could also make quieter ones - but then the profit margin wouldn’t be so high. The days I’ve lost through having to find somewhere quiet to work because some idiot with a leafblower is endlessly chasing one leaf around outside my flat - which is a large courtyard (noise reverberation of 4 walls). I always notice the operators have kindly provided themselves with ear defenders. Through my brief research of leaf blowers, I also noticed it has its own porn genre, but please don’t google you’ll see things you never can unsee! Yes, I hate leaf blowers and everything they represent.
I saw the Leaflower as a perfect analogy of the different approaches men and women take to life and work and also how we view process and time. The leaves for me represent the continuous cycle of life, the work that needs to be attended to: food preparation, hygiene, care etc…, basically domestic work. Work that AI or machinery cannot replace in a “good” way - even if the male-led technology drive bothered to focus on this. Throughout history, these jobs have been assigned mundane status by men but in fact, are very important and are more than what they seem. They are about connecting with the world around us and others. They are not all a nuisance to be rid of (maybe a couple are debatable), especially if shared and the burden is not assigned to one minority. They are the rhythms of life. It’s beat.
The film takes you through the rise and fall of the leaf blower (patriarchal society) - whilst the woman remains in rhythm with nature - a rhythm that could only be bettered through sharing.
Ultimately we both shared the view that Women need to take control before it’s too late, we can no longer leave the fate of the earth to men. Which frankly is a view that women have been saying for generations and will continue to say until we get taken seriously or have the balls to take control for ourselves.
I saw the Leaflower as a perfect analogy of the different approaches men and women take to life and work and also how we view process and time. The leaves for me represent the continuous cycle of life, the work that needs to be attended to: food preparation, hygiene, care etc…, basically domestic work. Work that AI or machinery cannot replace in a “good” way - even if the male-led technology drive bothered to focus on this. Throughout history, these jobs have been assigned mundane status by men but in fact, are very important and are more than what they seem. They are about connecting with the world around us and others. They are not all a nuisance to be rid of (maybe a couple are debatable), especially if shared and the burden is not assigned to one minority. They are the rhythms of life. It’s beat.
The film takes you through the rise and fall of the leaf blower (patriarchal society) - whilst the woman remains in rhythm with nature - a rhythm that could only be bettered through sharing.
Ultimately we both shared the view that Women need to take control before it’s too late, we can no longer leave the fate of the earth to men. Which frankly is a view that women have been saying for generations and will continue to say until we get taken seriously or have the balls to take control for ourselves.
30s Excerpt
NFT
