pixar
exhibition welcome
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| Bob Pauley, Buzz, Toy Story, Pencil |
Over the past 20 years, millions of us have marvelled at Pixar Studio's animated works and been captivated by its highly distinctive visual styles, compelling storylines and memorable characters.
But how often have we paused to consider the complex and skilled work of the artists who create these truly magical digital worlds?
In the darkness of the cinema or the warmth of the lounge room, swept up in this magic, it is easy to assume it all happens through the advanced technologies of the digital age.
But while 3-D computer animation certainly has widely displaced century-old traditional animation techniques, the very best work is nevertheless borne from consummate artistry, intricate craft and painstaking preparatory work.
Pixar: 20 Years of Animation is a window into the remarkable process through which Pixar's talented artists create their stories.
It allows us to delve deep into the conception of characters and the worlds in which they live, and to explore the development process from the initial concept shaping, to the finished, living and breathing characters.
For the first time in Australia, the original art behind the creation of Pixar characters over 20 years can be seen outside the studio.
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| Jerome Ranft, Sullivan, Monsters Inc., Cast urethane resin |
This magnificent collection includes iconic artefacts from award-winning masterpieces including Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars and the latest release, Ratatouille.
In addition to storyboards and character model sheets, digital animation requires light, shade and texture studies to give it life. Through hundreds of concept sketches, drawings, paintings, colour-scripts and sculptures, the fascinating processes behind Pixar's pioneering animation art are revealed.
It is impossible to reproduce on screen or appreciate the lovingly handcrafted quality of an intricate pencil line, or the subtle gradations of colour that mark the birth of a much-loved character.
Giving their characters an expressive life of their own and given the freedom of imagination to work their magic, Pixar artist-animators let the mood and personality of characters emerge, while the early sculpture work and 3-D modelling depict body language and expression.
The colossal degree of work behind creating a character or film is matched within Pixar by the sense of storytelling, human observation and fun that drives the productions.
The social awareness that pervades the works and the intelligent, educative and complex storylines is fundamental to the audience's willingness to embrace the final product.
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| Randy Berrett, Anglerfish, Finding Nemo, Oil |
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) presents and explores the world masters and masterpieces of the moving image. From the earliest iterations to the latest innovations, ACMI celebrates the pioneers and creative spirits who push the boundaries of the moving image.
In Pixar: 20 Years of Animation, we chart the journey of today's most popular and successful animation studio, the master innovators of digital animation that have transformed the genre of computer-generated animation.
ACMI is proud to be partnering the Victorian Government, through the Victorian Major Events Company's Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, and the Barbican Art Gallery London, to bring the magic of Pixar Studios to Melbourne and Australia.
Tony Sweeney
Director
Australian Centre for the Moving Image
April 2007
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