I turn theory into satire with animation, making ideology visible and human. https://www.tresmall.com/
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I approach animation not as craft, but as a philosophical medium. It’s a space where ideas move, contradict, and evolve. Rather than focusing on polish, I’m interested in how animation can think and destabilize, making abstract/emotional concepts visible, and open to interpretation.
Where do you find inspiration?In Philip Guston’s late work, cartoon forms with political and philosophical weight. Æon Flux showed me animation holds ambiguity and theory without resolving it. I’m drawn to strange, unresolved ideas in motion.
What would you do with $25,000?Complete the next episode of Très Mall. The funds would support animation production, sound design, and post, with modest stipends for collaborators. I’d also develop a screening and exhibition, pairing this work with research on 1950s propaganda cartoons (Made in Mexico: The Anti-Communist Cartoons of Dibujos Animados S.A.) because animation operates as both artwork and critical inquiry.
Vote for Derek Larson to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Register now for your opportunity to appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display your artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
