Recently I shared the complete first series of PBS Arts: Off Book. They’ve returned with a second series and the first episode explores the history of the GIF. I have to admit I find the Cinemagraphs shown and the whole concept behind them to be clever visual art.

GIFs are one of the oldest image formats used on the web. Throughout their history, they have served a huge variety of purposes, from functional to entertainment. Now, 25 years after the first GIF was created, they are experiencing an explosion of interest and innovation that is pushing them into the terrain of art. In this episode of Off Book, they chart their history, explore the hotbed of GIF creativity on Tumblr, and talk to two teams of GIF artists who are evolving the form into powerful new visual experiences.