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Kinegrams,
Art in Motion!
Back in the 1960s, the Op
Art movement started exploring images that trick the brain into thinking they’re moving. Around 1997, I began creating my own optical kinetic art, which I call “Kinegrams.” Using a technique rooted in early optical principles, I found a way to turn everyday objects into little movie machines. The magic unfolds when transparent overlays, printed with intricate black designs, are slid across static phase-motion patterns, producing a fascinating motion effect—just like those early motion picture toys from a century ago!
I vividly remember the first time I watched one of my Kinegrams come to life; it felt as though I had unlocked a hidden dimension inside a static object.
How
it works
All animation relies on the same principle: persistence
of vision. Kinegrams combine the visual effects of moiré patterns with the zoetrope animation technique. This technique has roots in the French pre-cinema method called “Ombro-Cinéma,” dating back to the late 19th century.
The animated sequence is created when the complex image— the Kinegram—is viewed through an acetate overlay with a solid black pattern printed on it. The transparent areas of the pattern allow parts of the Kinegram to show through as the overlay slides across it. Your brain connects the sequence of images that appear, creating the illusion of fluid motion, as demonstrated in the two examples below. |
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Kinegram
Is the basic still image with special kinoptic patterns.
There are many way to create a Kinegram... You can see
here two main types. |
Transparent
overlay
Acetate with solid black lines. The width of the stripes
depends on the phase-motion of the Kinegram. But the acetate
can also present other kinds of patterns, such as round blank
holes, as shown below. |
Animated
still image
When the overlay is slid from side to side over the Kinegrams
the windmill blades start to rotate and the horse, to gallop!
[enlarge
pic above] [enlarge
pic below] |
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SAMPLING
AND APPLICATIONS
Kinegrams bring motion, depth, and wonder to a wide range of applications: books, animated cards, art creations, interior design, architecture, and many other products. Below, you can explore some Kinegram samples to play with and experiment on. My unique method allows to create a variety of effects, including 3D illusions, mirrored designs, and dynamic plays with depth and transparency. Over the years, my Kinegram works have been commissioned by prestigious institutions, including the University of Florence and the Mind Games Museum, showcasing the versatility and artistic impact of this technique.
Want to discover the magic of Kinegrams and see how they can transform your project? Get in touch with me today! |
Playing
with words
Kinegrams are highly interactive and can be a smart way to teach
and promote the pleasure of reading to children. In effect, they
allow words to become alive and to poetically transform into images,
and viceversa, catching the curiosity and attention of youngsters
and adults alike.
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Playing
with shapes
Kinegrams represent a dynamical and amazing way to investigate
the many aspects of shapes and colors. With this technique, hypnotic
abstract shapes and patterns appear to move in a loop-like seamless
fashion.
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Capturing
the emotions and instant of everyday life
Any everyday life act or gesture can be visually simulated by Kinegrams:
walking, dacing, swimming, flying... Like a very short yet significant
film!
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An
interesting variant: the rotating Kinegram
The “Rotating Kinegram” takes the classic Kinegram process to a new level. While the traditional Kinegram brings a still image to life with a sliding overlay of vertical lines, the Rotating Kinegram animates the image when a transparent disc with printed radial stripes is spun over it.
A simple example is shown below, and you can explore more exciting applications on my Behance
gallery.
Rotating Kinegrams can be used in interactive children’s books, animated advertising, or as dynamic decorative elements on watches and other products, creating motion, depth, and visual intrigue.

[see
it in motion!]
Please note: All Kinegram designs, techniques, and concepts are the intellectual property of Gianni A. Sarcone. Unauthorized reproduction, modification, or commercial use is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.
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Need more information about Kinegrams? Contact me today, or download the PDF brochure:
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