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An illustration of a person playing a blue electric guitar, repeated in a grid against a red background. The figure wears a green top and is shown from a high angle, leaning over their instrument.

Jonathan Robert, the psychedelic and provocative animator

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Date
13 October 2016

French Canadian illustrator Jonathan Robert has created a hilarious music video using provocative animation. Ah Ouin the single by Montreal-based band Chocolat has been visualised by Jonathan into an otherworldly psychedelic narrative, reminiscent of 60s record sleeves and warped comics. The bulk of Jonathan’s portfolio includes illustrative prints and record sleeve designs, but it’s when he animates his imagination that it really begins to boggle your mind.

To caricature the personality of the band and the song itself into animated form has taken time to represent, and a responsibility Jonathan has completed with merriment. Each member of the band is captured individually into characters evocative of Jamie Hewett’s cartoons for Gorillaz, jamming enthusiastically on their respective instruments.

The video begins with the arrival of spaceship and a sort of musical god, with a guitar for a head (obviously), who casts disco dancing and promiscuity across the land. As mad as this sounds, this video is brilliantly nonsensical, we can only recommend you experience it yourself.

An illustration of three figures dancing on a stage in front of a dense, purple-hued crowd. In the centre, a figure wears a fur vest, striped shorts and sunglasses, flanked by two other dancers on orange blocks.
Above

Jonathan Robert: Ah Ouin by Chocolat

An illustration of a blue-skinned figure in a ruffled collar and orange jacket holding a knife to the throat of another person. The second person wears a black helmet and green clothing, looking on with a shocked expression.
Above

Jonathan Robert: Ah Ouin by Chocolat

An illustration of a repeating pattern on a yellow background. It features a blue figure with black hair and brown clothing playing a red and white drum.
Above

Jonathan Robert: Ah Ouin by Chocolat

An illustration featuring a repeating grid of a person with curly blonde hair playing an electric guitar. The figures are set against a solid blue background.
Above

Jonathan Robert: Ah Ouin by Chocolat

An illustration of a repeating pattern on a green background. The pattern features a stylised figure with long orange hair, wearing a yellow top and purple sleeves, holding a microphone.
Above

Jonathan Robert: Ah Ouin by Chocolat

An illustration of a figure in a white uniform with a blue star-patterned collar and belt. They pull open a zip on their stomach to reveal a swirling red and yellow pattern inside.
Above

Jonathan Robert: Ah Ouin by Chocolat

An illustration of a surreal landscape with a person on a green scooter. In the background, a purple building is on fire next to a tall ladder and golden pyramids.
Above

Jonathan Robert: Ah Ouin by Chocolat

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About the Author

Lucy Bourton

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Lucy (she/her) was part of the It’s Nice That team from 2016–2025, first joining as a staff writer after graduating from Chelsea College of Art with a degree in Graphic Design Communication, eventually becoming a senior editor on our editorial team, and most recently at Insights, a research-driven department with It’s Nice That.

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