If you thought Robin Pecknold scoring a film about LOLcats was e-ridiculous, then you might want to sit down for this one: A post on R.E.M.'s official site notes that Michael Stipe is sitting on the selection council for "Moving the Still", a digital arts festival focusing on, yes, animated GIFs.
The festival, which is curated by art collector website Paddle8, is accepting and publishing open submissions over at its website until November 7, with a live exhibition of selected GIFs scheduled to take place at Miami Art Week 2012. Stipe shares judging duties with, among others, discredited faux memoirist James Frey, fashion design duo Rodarte, designer/Lady Gaga collaborator Nicola Formichetti, and fashion/celebrity photographers Inez & Vinoodh. Meaning that all one needs is James Franco's presence to win Postmodern Millennial Bingo.
A selection of Stipe's GIFs (yes, Michael Stipe makes GIFs, too) are available to view here. In a statement, Chief Council Member Johnny Misheff spoke on Stipe's involvement:
There is perhaps no one better suited to sit on this council than Michael Stipe, for his love of beauty and his executed works of digital media and art and his passion for the evolution of the image is strong and profound.
Because it feels fitting, watch the video for "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" below.