An enticing spectacle uniting technology, production and varied artistic resources.

The use of light, strong colors, animated images and advanced technology as an artistic tool guarantees immediate success with Michel Jaffrennous public. These instruments are used in the electronic opera Peter and the Wolf, based on the writings of Prokofiev, to be shown, for the first time outside France, at the 11th VideoBrazil International Festival. Jaffrennou is sculptor, painter and a specialist in using new technologies to produce art, qualities he uses generously in this production. He inc orporates live actors, as Peter Ustinov, Peter's grandfather, with animated characters, 3D synthesized images, music, theater, lights, colors and motion. The production includes 39 thousand drawings and consumed 2 years of work to create 26 minutes of vi deo.

Apparently Jaffrennou is not seeking for an objective artistic expression. But, as an enterprising producer he shows that he is capable of attaining new aesthetic ideals with the use of technology and the curious combination of well known resources. It is, basically an electronic aesthetics which amazes and enchants. "I propose that the observer enters into the scene, becomes part of it, flies with the birds, dances with the grandfather and plays with the cat. I was able to create this tri-dimensi onal surprise thanks to synthesized images", he says. Jaffrennou was able to produce colors with results nearest painting ever using only the limited and specific artificial video light and electronic resources. The story board for Peter and the Wolf wa s prepared using meticulous paintings, 37 of which will be shown in a parallel exhibition at Video Brazil.

But, Jaffrennou cannot be spoken of without mentioning another important aspect of his work: video-sculptors. It was through these that the French artist began to take part in the noble universe of electronic creation, becoming, near the end of the 7 0's, one of the prominent personalities in Europe. He is known as the European pioneer in using video and tv as sculptural elements. One of these creations, Le Plein de Plumes, conveys all the cleverness and delicateness of his plastic constructions- th e contents of which seem to provoke a subtle gaze and a sly smile.

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