"Animators Unearthed" is an introduction to some of the world's top animation filmmakers, whose faces and voices remain largely unseen and unappreciated outside of the animation community. Chris Robinson discusses why it's been neglected and where you can find the work. He aims to bring this art form, and its creators, to the forefront by tracing the history of this personal and artistic animation. Throughout its history, animation has been primarily defined as cartoons that make people laugh, a medium of gags, caricatures, animals and fart jokes. Most people have no idea that there also exists a more personal, provocative and poetic side of animation, one that is not made for money and mass audiences. Robinson profiles 20 animators, known in the field, including: Patrick Smith, Don Hertzfelt, Chris Landreth (2004 Oscar winner for "Ryan"), John Canemaker (2005 Oscar Winner for "The Moon and The Son"), Joanna Quinn, Run Wrake, Chris Hinton (Oscar nominee), Bob Sabiston ("Waking Life", "A Scanner Darkly"). After spending 16 years fighting the stereotype that animation exists for kids and laughs, Robinson's tome spreads that message to introduce these incredible artists to a wider audience. Most of all, he hope that people will come away with the feeling that animation is a great art form that rivals any of the classic arts.
A noted animation commentator, curator and historian, Chris Robinson has been a director of the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) since 1994. His previous books include Unsung Heroes of Animation (John Libbey & Co., 2006), Estonian Animation: Between Genius and Utter Illiteracy (IUP, 2007) and The Animation Pimp: AWN Official Guide (Course Technology, 2007).On another note, sorry I've been so lame about blogging. Blogging tends to get in the way of my lying around time.
"Primarily defined..." Perhaps, but with many notable exceptions. Let's not forget, for instance, that the National Film Board of Canada was operating counter to the gag cartoon stereotype as far back as the early seventies, producing numerous award-winning short animated films that ranged in content from the whimsical to the dramatic. Remember Co Hodeman's "The Sand Castle"--which I believe garnered an Oscar? Caroline Leaf's take on Kafka's "Metamorphosis"? and Ryan Larkin's many experimental animated ditties? Historically, there have been plenty of other films out there (mostly form outside US borders) that are ample proof that animation is not just a medium for the fluffy, insipid, and puerile content we Americans consume so eagerly; the fact that most Americans probably do not know about them speaks volumes about our culture and the sensibility it fosters (or squelches?).
ReplyDeleterank on americans... original.
ReplyDeletejk drhoneycat:) check out the book, it's really well done, mostly interview based.
Just sayin'... ;-)
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