“Gerald Guthrie uses the medium of digital animation to identify and exemplify many of the inscrutable mysteries of everyday life. Questions that do not have definitive answers are woven into the fabric of our culture and become the basis for such uniquely human pursuits as religion, ethics, philosophy, politics, and science. By distinguishing common threads of recognition, he strives to inform the viewer that closure is not as important as the act of enquiry, a process essential to the human experience.”
The Necessities of Life – TRT 5:03 mins.
Gerald Guthrie was born in 1951 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He received a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the University of Illinois (1977). Guthrie currently teaches animation and foundation studies as a Professor in the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. His digital animations have screened in over 75 national and international film festivals, including the Melbourne Animation Festival (Australia 2011), Anima Mundi (Brazil 2010), The Seattle Film Festival (2011), the Denver Film Festival (2010) and the Prix Ars Electronica International Festival of Arts and New Media (Austria 2008, 2010).
Gerald Guthrie – Urbana IL
17 Days Video Series 
The struggle of modern culture and basic needs a basic idea that not many people think about that make up everyday life is represented very well in this video.
The idea of what you want and what you actually need to live is a very perplexing subject that always seems debatable. I enjoyed this video because it touched on this subject and represented it well.
I liked the idea of why we need to question the mysteries of everyday life such as where ethics and religion come from and how these questions interact with our current culture. The reasons for these questions must surely change as culture changes itself. I agree that questioning in itself is more important than actually coming to any conclusion.
I connect most with the very beginning of this. It reminds me of how we’re all recording video with our minds…for no one to watch.
This video contains a very interesting aesthetic. The way in which some of the solid objects are composed of even smaller solid objects is a bit trippy. The CG and video don’t get in the way of each other, giving a better sense of balance.
I’m generally a fan of Cg animation, so how can I say no to this? The way you tackle the theme of how basic needs and modern culture do not work well together was extremely effective.
I liked the animation and I thought the idea was portrayed throughout out the imagery.
the imagery in this piece is pretty amazing, making connections to things never thought about. at first when the images appear in the small televisions i feel that along with the music are a little overwhelming, but otherwise i feel its good. i don’t fully understand the meaning but can appreciate all the time invested when creating a movie like this.
I like the use of animation and how it was combined with real footage at that one point where we were looking into the brains of these made up people. I thought the whole idea was a little bit confusing though. I don’t get what the fridge and the radio had to do with all of it.
Great concept, I like the way you show people being literally made out of information.