Johnny Cash (2010)

In honor of the Man in Black and to celebrate his birthday, born on this day in 1932, I wanted to share this interesting community animation project with you that I really enjoyed watching. I hope you do too.

This unique animation was created by participants from various parts of the world who drew their own portrait of Johnny Cash to be integrated into a collective whole. As people all over the world contribute, the project will continue to evolve and grow, one frame at a time.

This animated work is strung together and relayed in sequence with fans art, paired with Johnny’s haunting song. It becomes a living, moving, and ever changing portrait of the legendary Man in Black.

A hand-drawn, animated, music video with each frame drawn by a different person. Participants are invited to create a drawing that is woven into a collective music-video-tribute to Johnny Cash. Set to his song “Ain’t No Grave,” the project was inspired Johnny’s central lyric “Ain’t no grave can hold my body down.” It represents Cash’s continued existence, even after his death, through his music and his fans. The work continues to grow and evolve as more people participate. A collaboration with director Chris Milk.