Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel is a US based sand animation artist who will pleasantly surprise your guests with her projected sand art storytelling. Charlene creates jaw dropping, one of a kind, live animated images with sand on a light box, synched to a dynamic musical soundscape. Sand animations are created right before your eyes, with irresistible charm. All eyes will be glued to the fluid artwork, shown live on the big screen. Charlene creates a sensory sand experience that goes above and beyond your expectations. The crowd watches with amazement and wonder, as Charlene draws image after image in sand. One scene flows magically into another, which brings positive engagement with your brand. This extremely impressive live sand performance creates an intense crowd reaction with positive excitement. It is a great way for guests to remember your bespoke theme. Guests will be interested and absorbed, and will certainly be talking about this wow factor at your next event!
projection artist
Projection Art
Sand animation is a form of live projection art, which utilizes a glass top table illuminated from beneath. Above the table is an overhead camera, connecting to a high power projector and screen system, providing both entertainment and instruction for today’s modern audiences.
While exploring some links between old and new formats, from the Camera Obscura to today’s digital technology, it seems that evolutions in projection technology often make the past fade away, as the future keeps moving ahead….
The Camera Obscura, similar to a pinhole camera, was developed back in 1604. It was a natural optical device using a lens and a very small hole. An image was projected reversed, or inverted, in a very dark room. It was often used as a drawing or painting aid.
In 1640, Athonasius Kircher, with his Magic Lantern, made one of the first attempts we know of to project drawings onto a wall. He drew onto separate pieces of glass, which were projected as static images. The glass plates were then moved from above with strings to change the scenes.
The Kaleidoscope was invented in 1815, which is an amusing ornamental toy with philosophical origins. The natural philosopher, David Brewster, designed it’s ever changing abstract patterns by accident when he saw reflections between plates of glass, bringing awareness to the underlying symmetry of nature. It is an optical instrument with crystals, mirrors and reflections, which is placed over one eye and rotated, creating beautiful changing patterns.
The Stereoscope of 1838, much like the modern Viewmaster, brought the viewer “closer “ to a scene with its spatial dimensions. When looking into it, two separate images merged with the eyes to create a single 3D image, which was considered quite fascinating at that time.
Eedweard Muybridge’s 1879 Zoopraxiscope was an early device created to display motion pictures, and may be the first movie projector. It projected stop-motion silhouettes and images, painted onto rotating glass discs, moving in a rapid succession, to give the impression of motion. Many of his films showed complex animal and human movements.
In 1889, Edison’s Kinetoscope showed films, viewed by one person at a time, through a peephole viewer. It was not a movie projector but was instrumental to the birth of the American cinema culture. Jenkins & Armat’s Vitascope projector, first demonstrated in 1895, went from being called a toy to an instrument or machine. Considered natural magic with practical applications, and with equal emphasis on both amusement and instruction.
The year 1894 saw the joining together of engineering, electricity and chemistry. This began the mechanical transfer of the animator’s world onto the screen. By 1895, with the Birth of Cinema, the creation of virtual worlds were then filmed. The first use of animation in movies began when Georges Méliès built one of the first film studios in 1897. He went on to create over 500 films, mostly short one-shot films, produced in just one take, including A Trip To The Moon in 1902.
German silhouette cutout artist, Lotte Reiniger, started creating animated title cards in 1917, around age 18. She invented the multiplane camera in 1923, with her husband and creative partner Carl Koch, using multiple sheets of glass to create depth. This multiplane camera was used for her first color animation "The Adventures of Prince Achmed", released in 1926, which was considered to be the first avant-garde full-length animated feature. She made more than 40 films with her invention.
In 1928, Mickey Mouse took off with Steamboat Willie, the first cartoon that had synchronized sound. Soon after, in 1932, Disney released it’s first full color film Flowers & Trees, followed by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, which was their first feature length film. Snow White raised cartoon drawing to the level of art.
Sand animation was invented in 1968, by Caroline Leaf, for her project at Harvard University. Her first animated film was "Sand, or Peter and the Wolf", which she created by moving sand with her hands on an illuminated glass surface. By the late 1990’s, sand animators began demonstrating their works of live animated art to large audiences, adding a projector and screen. The sand artist’s projected, live, storytelling performances explore the relationship between real and virtual spaces, and create emotionally immersive environments which provide both entertainment and instruction. Live sand animations are currently projected large scale onto a mega screen, using the latest in digital technologies, and synched to a live or recorded soundtrack.
Are you fully utilizing the projection screens at your venue? You can add a futuristic, artistic and informative element to your event with a living sand animation, the latest trend in projection art.
Reserve Charlene today for your next project or event!
Wedding Sand Art
Add special uniqueness to your wedding reception or dinner. Sand animation is a new, different and exciting way to tell your love story...
Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel creates a memorable sand art story just for you, which adds a luxury element to your wedding event. Include portraits and shared experiences drawn in the sand, performed to a custom musical soundscape. Your love story comes alive with this unique live animation!
Charlene offers 3 options for live wedding sand art to suit your budget: Ambient, Combination (or) Bespoke.
1) 10 minute Live AMBIENT WEDDING: This is the most economical option. Charlene performs a love story from her stock animation “Love & Nature” with the characters personalized to look like the wedding couple. (2-3 weeks lead time)
2) 10 minute Live COMBINATION WEDDING: This is a popular option. Choose scenes from Charlene's stock imagery storyboards. Did you meet at the beach, city or countryside? Choose your scenery, choose from personalized wedding scenes, and add a sentiment at the end. (2-3 weeks lead time)
3) Live BESPOKE WEDDING: This is the best option. Use your imagination! Tell your completely customized story in sand with scenes of your choice, including: portraits, beautiful scenes, memorable experiences, and more. At least 7 minutes custom animation is recommended to tell your story. (3+ weeks lead time)
Charlene's sand art can be performed LIVE at your reception or dinner...
and/or
4) a SAND ART VIDEO of an Ambient, Combination (or) Bespoke animation can be created for large screen viewing at the event. An HD digital video file (.mp4) of your sand animation includes a custom musical soundtrack which synchs with the artwork.
Please provide all information for the project at least 2-3 weeks prior to the performance or date needed. A signed contract, along with 50% deposit, are required to hold your date and start your custom project, prior to the 2 week deadline.
Choose a sand color to match your wedding theme!
PICK (1) COLOR: B/W, Gold, Cocoa, Red, Pink, Cran, Purple, Blue, Aqua or Green…
Reserve Charlene today for your wedding video or event!
SHOUTOUT LA Interview 1
An interview with Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel…
“Hi Charlene, what role has risk played in your life or career?”
Interview with Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel
1. How did you first discover sand art/sand animation, and what was the most important deciding factor in you wanting to do it?
Sand animation was pioneered by Caroline Leaf in 1968 with her animated film project “Sand, or Peter and the Wolf” for an undergraduate class at Harvard University. As a child, in 1973-74, I saw two animations by Eli Noyes, another Harvard graduate, on the PBS television program Sesame Street. They showed her animated films “Sandman” and “Sand Alphabet”. I was really fascinated with it, but at 6 years old I was a bit too young to think about doing it myself. By 1989, I started working as a professional artist and mural painter. In 2004, I saw a video of Hungarian artist Ferenc Cakó’s live sand animation performance being passed around in the early days of the internet. Cakó was responsible for turning sand animation into a live performance. At this point, I had been working as a fine artist and muralist for many years already. In 2009, a Ukrainian sand artist, Kseniya Simonova won “Ukraine’s Got Talent” with her emotional sand animation performance. Her sand video went viral around the world. A associate of mine mentioned that sand animation was becoming desirable for corporate entertainment and events. Mural painting work had become scarce, due to advances in digital technology. I needed something new to do, a new way to make a living. I knew I had the necessary skills and experience to do it. So, I spent a year teaching myself sand animation, and posted my first sand video on YouTube in January 2011. Two weeks later I was scouted to perform at a party for Cirque du Soleil, and I’ve been traveling around creating sand animations ever since. One of the things that I love most about sand animation is that it is an ephemeral art form. It lasts only in the moment, and requires the living presence of the artist to happen.
2. Do you believe that creating art is just a hobby, or something much more? Why or why not?
For me, making art was always something I wanted to do for a living. I told my mother I wanted to be a commercial artist when I grew up. I started painting at age 5 and never stopped creating. Art is what I’m best at, and something that I can contribute to society. Being a professional artist is not an easy path. It requires focus, hard work and determination. It’s not for everyone. It’s for someone with an entrepreneurial mind, as well as a good skill set. I started out as a window display artist and through that I began painting murals. I’ve done fine art paintings and shown my work in galleries. I’ve worked for jewelry designers, and made my own jewelry as well. I have also worked as a sign painter and a street painter. It’s important to be flexible and to be aware of trends.
3. What is a message you would like to send to those who may want to pursue an art form such as this?
Sand animation is an advanced art form which requires a huge amount of time, hard work, focus, patience and practice. You will need drawing skills, an understanding of shadow & light, a dancer’s flow and coordination, and a steady hand. It may not come easily. There will be a lot of trial, error and mistakes. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learn from them. You will also want to learn music and film editing as you grow into the art form.
4. Did you ever experience someone ridiculing or mocking you for doing this, and if so, how did you overcome it?
All of my life, people have told me that I couldn’t be, shouldn’t be, and wouldn’t be an artist. I’ve proven them all wrong. When someone tells you that you can’t, it’s usually because they can’t. The cause is often jealousy and fear. Listen to your heart and do what’s right for you.
5. In your opinion, what is the most difficult thing about sand animation?
The most difficult part of sand animation are the transitions from scene to scene. You want a smooth flow from one image to the next. It has to look pretty in all stages of development, even when scenes are changing. Synching with a soundtrack is also challenging. There’s a lot of back and forth between the music and the artwork, until a time balance is achieved.
6. How long do you plan to continue with sand animation, and what would you do after?
I plan to do sand animation as long as I can earn a living at it. Hopefully, that will be for a long time. But, because it is so time consuming, if the work flow stops I’ll have to put my focus elsewhere. I’ll keep making sand art films, even if I stop performing live. I’ll stop when I run out of ideas. After that, who knows. Something creative, for sure. As long as I’m creating, I’m happy. Happiness is my goal in life.
7. If you weren’t doing sand animation, or it had never been created, what would you be doing right now instead? Why did you choose not to do that thing?
If sand animation had never been created, I would be painting, which is what I did before and still do. I like trying new things. I’ve thought about creating sand mandalas, but I don’t like working outdoors on hot pavement. I also do acting, sometimes, but I’m a bit shy with my voice.
8. What impact do you believe your artwork has made on the community?
People have often told me that my sand art is inspiring. It inspires a sense of awe. It tells stories and showcases new ideas. It makes people happy... and that’s the goal. Happiness.
9. Who has been your biggest motivator to continue doing what you love? How does this person inspire you?
David Bowie always inspired me, just by being his unique self. :)
Interview by Chloe Docks, a student at South Elgin High School, doing a project for her English class by researching information about sand art.