Definition of Animation

So a very heated debate went on this week when a bunch of animators where asked to define animation!





What is animation?


I feel if this question was asked to the general public their first answer would be to refer to television cartoons and especially Disney features.


But when asked to those that create and inform the genre itself the notions and perceptions of what animation is differs a great deal.





Wikipedia defines is as: Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. It is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in a number of ways. The most common method of presenting animation is as a motion picture or video program, although several other forms of presenting animation also exist.





Norman McLaren defines it as : Animation is not the art of drawings that move, but the art of movements that are darwn. What happens between each frame is much more important than what exists on each frame. Animation is therefore the art of manipulating the invisible interstices that lie between the frames."

In both these definition it seems that motion, rather the illusion of motion is important. So then would a mere image of an optical illusion be constitued as animation or not?

What about a sculpture that defines motion but is not confined within a frame?

There also seems to be the argument that any appearance of live action or it manipulation is not animation. That special effects aren't animation either. I dont think I agree with any of that.

My definition of animation is that it is the illusion and manipulation of time, space and motion and that can be achieved through several mediums.
To me the beauty of animation is that is almost undefineable, and with the advant of new technology it continues to be reinvented and redefined. It merges onto so many different medium and is becoming more and more infultrated into all kinds of mediums and technologies an example cell phone.
I think for animation to have a multitude of definition and perceptions really makes it powerful and hopefully the general public will one day be more aware of that.