Animation Exhibition at the Rockefeller Arts Center Features Animated Films from Nine Countries
Skwigly
Independent Motion: Twelve Animated Films from Around the World, an original exhibition coordinated by the Marion Art Gallery and curated by Yvonne Grzenkowicz Founder and Executive Director of Animation Nights New York (ANNY), is on display in the Cathy and Jesse Marion Art Gallery at Rockefeller Arts Center August 30 through October 9. Meet the artists (virtually) and curator (in-person) at a reception on Friday September 9, 6 to 9 pm. Prior to the reception Grzenkowicz will present an illustrated talk about the exhibition in McEwen Hall 209 at 4 pm. The lecture, exhibition, and reception are free and open to the public.
“In every style and medium, successful animation brings together motion, clarity, timing, and design to create the illusion of life. It can entertain, inform, and even inspire us to consider our own place in the universe,” writes Grzenkowicz. “Animation is about the study of humanity as much as it is a study of technique. It is about both observation and keyframe. These twelve animated pieces each contain moments of reflection on elements of the human condition while simultaneously sweeping us away with artistry.”
The exhibition features 2D, 3D, stop-motion, and virtual reality animated films by: Remus Buznea & Kyriaki Kyriakou, United Kingdom; Igor Ćorić, Serbia; Sashko Danylenko, Ukraine / United States; Nelson Fernandes, Portugal / Spain; Carol Freeman, Ireland; Matisse Gonzalez, Bolivia / Germany; Emily Hubley, United States; Bas Jansen, Netherlands; Joe Loftus, Ireland; Carol Silverman, United States; Rory Waudby-Tolley, United Kingdom; and Jie Weng, China. All of these artists have participated in Animation Nights New York (ANNY), a curated monthly screening event and annual festival in New York City which presents animated short films, virtual reality animation experiences, and games from around the world.
In the 2D animated film Night Falls on Loserville by Remus Buznea & Kyriaki Kyriakou, three friends go for a night out in their small slice of sweet suburban paradise.
Igor Ćorić’s mixed media animated film Prelazak (Passage) is about a young boy left alone to die in the midst of war and destruction. The last members of his tribe are dismantled to basic geometric forms under enemy fire. Taken by the feeling of sorrow and loss, the boy builds a totem out of their remains. There is an unexpected twist when he continues towards another confrontation armed with this new structure.
Sasho Danylenko’s cutout stop-motion animated film TNMK – The History of Ukraine in 5 Minutes teaches the entire history of Ukraine, from the big bang to the present, in transit through the most significant events in their history. The short film features rap by Ukrainian hip-hop group TNMK (Tanok na Maidani Kongo or Dance on Kongo) and lyrics by the activist poet Artem Polezhaka.
In the stop-motion animated film El Castigo (The Punishment) by Nelson Fernandes, Lisa, a lonely girl, has been punished by her mother; she confined herself to her bedroom, where she feeds with her own tears her only friend, a plant.
The Bird and the Whale, a paint-on-glass animated film by Carol Freeman, is a story about a young whale struggling to find his voice. After straying too far from his family to explore a shipwreck, he discovers its sole survivor, a caged songbird. Together they struggle to survive lost at sea.
Matisse Gonzalez’s 2D animated film Gravedad (Gravity) represents the ups and downs we all experience in life. Some people can handle them better than others. People like Rosa, the protagonist, learn to respect them and see them as an advantage.
Emily Hubley’s 2D animated film Hail tells the story of three hate-crime victims who meet up in heaven.
Artificial World by Bas Jansen is an immersive virtual reality animated film that presents a world in which humans destroyed the planet, thereby killing almost all living organisms. Those humans that are still alive decide to create an artificial intelligence computer to restore the balance on earth. As the computer becomes more powerful, it begins to act like an independent creator.
Girl and Robot by Joe Loftus follows the story of a traumatized young girl who is chased across the desert by officers of the state. On her way, she meets a robot who is afraid of being left alone. As the pursuers catch up, the girl and the robot must work together to survive.
Carol Silverman writes of her mixed media virtual reality animated film, “I made Belongings as a way to work through the posthumous mystery of my mother, who was deported by the Nazis as a Jew but owned a book called Keep a True Lent from 1953. Among her things, I found a silver filigree six-pointed star necklace and a tiny statuette of a praying Mary she had kept by her bed. She was my closest relationship in life. I thought I knew her.”
Rory Waudby-Tolley’s mixed media animated film Mr Madila or The Colour of Nothing, documents a series of conversations between the filmmaker and a gifted spiritual healer, exploring the inner mind, the fabric of the universe, and the nature of reality itself, through the sacred art of animation.
In The Quintet of the Sunset, a stop-motion animated film by Jie Weng, five cats with distinguished personalities live their healthy and happy lives thanks to the care and love of their owner Gina. When Gina reaches the end of her life, they watch over Gina forever in their own way and their hearts beat as one with Gina’s heart.
Yvonne Grzenkowicz is a New York City based animator and interactive designer with experience in short film, feature film, advertising, music videos, digital publishing, video games, live visuals, and interactive websites. She has extensive training in character animation and a background in fine art. Grzenkowicz is also co-owner of Animation for Adults, a US/UK based podcast and website for animation aficionados. She attended the University of Georgia and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University in Boston for painting and drawing, and Animation Mentor for character animation and creature animation.
Independent Motion: Twelve Animated Films from Around the World is generously supported by the Fredonia College Foundation’s Carnahan Jackson Humanities Fund, Cathy and Jesse Marion Endowment Fund, and Carl J. Nordell Endowment Fund. A publication is available free of charge at the Marion Art Gallery.
The Cathy and Jesse Marion Art Gallery is located in Rockefeller Arts Center at the State University of New York at Fredonia, 280 Central Avenue. Gallery hours are: Tuesday-Thursday 12 noon to 4 pm, Friday and Saturday 12 noon to 6 pm, and Sunday 12 noon to 4 pm. The exhibition is open regular hours during fall break.