Up To Now

A short film by Ayin Es (Carol), Jonathan Nesmith, and Susan Holloway.

click to watch movie on Vimeo

Up to Now is the six-minute movie created by Ayin Es (then Carol), Jonathan Nesmith, and Susan Holloway as part of the the Exodus Project. Narrated by Ayin Es, the story covers their "exodus" into the high desert terrain near the Joshua Tree National Monument in Southern California.

Both literal and semi-abstract, the film features Ayin's animated characters against the unique Joshua Tree landscape. The two main characters are, "Moppet" - a long time autobiographical rag doll that Ayin has used to represent themselves in their art, and a giraffe-like thing named "Yuddy," who has a yud (Hebrew letter) as its head, which is meant to represent the artist's spiritual quest. In Jewish mysticism, the yud is also known as The Infinite Point. It is the spark of G-d's infinite light to make a place for creation within a single void. Thus, the yud has the power to contain EVERYTHING - a kind of ultimate learning experience for Moppet to live along side their emotional baggage (or "junk") throughout their trek in the desert.

Moppet learns to live with their "junk" by way of studying the Kabbalah. And in the case of this particular story, they find their childlike desire for adventure, truth, and understanding.

Here are a few stills from the movie:

Up To Now Movie by Carol Es, Jonathan Nesmith and Susan Holloway, video animation still of Yuddy pulling on found junk Up To Now Movie by Carol Es, Jonathan Nesmith and Susan Holloway, video still on tin can representing depression (narrated) Up To Now Movie by Carol Es, Jonathan Nesmith and Susan Holloway, animation still of Moppet driving into Joshua Tree Park Up To Now Movie by Carol Es, Jonathan Nesmith and Susan Holloway, animation still of cabin in Joshua Tree, CA Up To Now Movie by Carol Es, Jonathan Nesmith and Susan Holloway, multiple video stills of artist, Carol Es Up To Now Movie by Carol Es, Jonathan Nesmith and Susan Holloway, Animation still of Moppet, close shot