Becky Sloan and Joseph Pelling are graphic designers, artists and collage animators. They met while studying at Kingston University. After graduating, the duo began working together more, forming THISISIT Collective, with works from both Sloan and Pelling, along with other graduates from Kingston University. They continued to work together on art projects as there was a lack of other work opportunities.
Best known for ‘Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared’ (which we’ll be screening at ‘UNTITLED: Independent Film Night’ this Thursday) – their unique animated style blends subtle, surreal flourishes, intelligent metaphor, dark themes and pitch-perfect humour. First of all, let’s start with ‘TIME’ (Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared 2) – a video which I consider to be the best on the internet. DHMIS was originally released through their website, and later picked up on several other platforms. The videos parody children’s TV shows, such as ‘Sesame Street’ by ironically juxtaposing puppetry and musical numbers against psychedelic content and disturbing imagery. Each video begins with a light-hearted song about the subject at hand, before slowly exploring darker themes, and ideas such as conformity, mortality, violence, and death.
Since then the duo have worked on numerous projects including a Music Video for Tame Impala’s single ‘Feel Like We Only Go Backwards’:
Maintaining their unique animated style, and sharp (dark) sense of humour, here is their music Video for Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s ‘Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)’:
Becky and Joe are currently working on a ‘Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared’ Series (they are still accepting crowdfunding donations to put towards the cost of production, so please show your support), a series that you’ll no doubt agree, can’t come soon enough. For more of their amazing work, visit beckyandjoes.com.
