Animation video (3:25)
2006

Flying vaginas, raining penises, fantastic creatures, that kiss, make out, get a baby and more are part of To my dear friend Naïma, who is already 10… . The video explores questions of subjectivity, gender roles and sexuality and asks how these concepts are mediated and how drawings from a child of 5 years can push the boundaries of language as well as challenge dominant ways of understanding.

For this simple animation, several drawings, which were made by my friend’s daughter Naïma when she was 5 years old, served as an inspiration. The video shows a child’s imagination and her playful, fabulous and funny views on gender roles and sexuality, in combination with a series of reflections of mine interacting as a voice over, all of which is framed by the interpretation of the original theme song of Pippi Longstocking’s television series. Author Astrid Lindgren’s fictional character, Pippi Longstocking, not only appeared among Naïma’s drawings she also played an important role in Naïma’s childhood as much as in my own. Although there are 17 years of age difference, Pippi Longstocking served as a role model for both of us as Pippi has fun, believes in herself and breaks with conventional ideas of how one should behave.

Idea, concept and animation: Nina Hoechtl
Drawings: Naïma, Age 5
Interpretation of Pippi Longstocking’s song: Maria Neckam

To my dear friend Naïma, who is already 10… was presented at the ANIMOTIONfestival in Sibiu, RO (2007) and it was part of following exhibitions: “Viajeros”, curated by Caterina Viterbo Gutiérrez and Álvaro Villalobos Gutiérrez, Laboratorio de Artistsas Norte 124, Metepec, MX (2012) and “AMIW #3”, Eira 33, Lisbon, P (2006).