Home / Arts and Entertainment / MoMA Show Reveals Animation's Wild Past
MoMA Show Reveals Animation's Wild Past
31 Jul
Summary
- Exhibition traces 100 years of animation before digital.
- Features early pioneers and experimental postwar styles.
- Screenings occur without sound to emphasize visuals.
The exhibition "It's Alive!" at MoMA delves into the century of animation preceding the digital revolution. It showcases the medium's evolution, beginning with familiar characters and moving towards experimental post-war styles championed by figures like John Hubley, who advocated for animation to explore deeper social and artistic themes. The show highlights diverse animation techniques such as stop-motion, cel, and pixilation, drawing from MoMA's extensive collection.
Visitors can experience works by artists like Jerome Hill, whose "The Sand Castle" is a surreal stop-motion piece inspired by Jungian ideas, and Jane Aaron, known for her work on "Sesame Street." These animations, including visuals of famous artworks and letters of the alphabet, are presented without sound to allow full appreciation of their artistry. An accompanying app provides the original audio for interested viewers.
The exhibition also features the iconic "I Want My MTV!" campaign from the 1980s, including outtakes of celebrities recording the catchphrase. "It's Alive!" concludes by marking the advent of digital technology, a shift curator Ron Magliozzi compares to the difference between vinyl and streaming music, emphasizing the tactile quality of film prints. The show aims to connect generations through the universal appeal of animation.
