I believe stems really spoke to me through its use of material, the idea of the “stuff” having a past life really interested me. I felt that the filming of the entire process really worked well and the continuation of the creators hand in the filming stepped away from the more stereotypical animation into something else. I also enjoyed the slight sadness that Henderson discussed the puppets possessed, they do contain something of an anthropomorphic quality which we respond to at the same time they contain a notion of sad humor about them.
There is also something to be said for the palette, although the pieces and parts are a combination of both man-made and natural objects the puppets take on a very organic earthy feel. The collaborations between Henderson and Akroyd I believe work very well, the music becoming part of the piece as a whole as also shown in their other collaboration “Time Piece”. I have been listening to more of Ackroyd’s work her use of unorthodox instruments and inventive style of composition compliments the animation but also work well as pieces themselves.