AMERSFOORT.- In Move on..! 100 Years of Animation Art, Kunsthal KAdE immerses itself in the unique world of animation. Film animators and visual artists using animation tend to live in two separate worlds, although each influences the other, directly and otherwise. This exhibition at KAdE includes work from both sides of the divide: a historical overview of major animation films produced in the last 100 years and a selection of work by visual artists who use animation as a fundamental means of expression. Added to this, there is work by students and – in partnership with the Holland Animation Film Festival – solo presentations by international animators. Meanwhile, in the education area a display of sketches, storyboards and other production materials will help visitors understand the process of creation from initial concept to final product. All these materials relate to the latest films developed or produced wholly or partly in the studios of the former Netherlands Institute for Animation Film (NIAf).

The exhibition is divided into several sections:

100 YEARS OF CHARACTER ANIMATION IN THE MAIN GALLERY (SELECTED BY NIAf)
A selection of fifty films provides the framework for a survey of 100 years of animation film characters. The selection has been proposed by Erik van Drunen and Mette Peters, former members of staff at the recently dissolved Netherlands Institute for Animation Film (NIAf), both of whom are now working as teachers of animation history and guest curators.

Choosing on the basis of historical, technological and artistic developments, they focus on renowned and lesser-known (or forgotten) characters from the rich history of animation film. Consideration of themes and content guarantees diversity and account is also taken of geographical and chronological spread, as well as of the wide range of rapidly changing techniques and uses of animation as a medium in the course of the century. Displays also address different characteristics, qualities and ways of approaching characters in animation films. The aim of this broad-based approach is to do full justice to the medium. However, not every technique, decade or geographical region is considered equally and special attention is paid to Dutch animation films. Winsor McCay’s early character animation film Gertie the Dinosaur (1914) proves to be a lasting source of inspiration, even for today’s animators. But what actually is character animation? What brings a character to life? Is it enough to make it appear to move? Or is there more to it than that? The literal meaning of animation is to breathe life into something – in this case, lines, drawings, clay figures, etc. But character animation is also about timing – body language, facial expressions and biomechanics. It is about exaggeration and about conveying emotion in a completely artificial world – without real pain, love, excitement or any other true-to-life emotional input or output. It is acting.

Any list of fifty film titles is, by definition, selective. Fifty is a tiny number in the context of the rich array of innovative and creative animation films produced over the last century. Any such selection will be open to debate, inspired as it must be not only by the personal views of the selectors, but also by the practical availability of film material and stills. The selection may well give rise to discussion among visitors: we hope they will make their own personal lists, recognise old favourites, and discover characters new to them. Dutch examples: Philips Broadcast [George Pal], Pas à Deux [Gerrit van Dijk & M. Renault], Father and Daughter [Michael Dudok de Wit] and Chase [Adriaan Lokman]. International examples: Gertie The Dinosaur [Winsor McCay] , La Linea [Osvaldo Cavandoli], Three Little Pigs [Walt Disney], Yellow Submarine [George Dunning], Meat Love [Jan Svankmajer], Betty Boop [Fleischer Bros.], The Hand [Jiri Trnka] and Oh Willy [Emma de Swaef & Marc James Roels].

SELECTION OF WORK BY VISUAL ARTISTS IN CENTRAL GALLERIES AND SIDE-ROOMS
This section features a selection of work by visual artists who use animation as an essential part of their practice or who have produced outstanding works involving animation. The selection has been made by Kunsthal KAdE and is a mix of many different kinds of animated paintings, drawings, computer art and collages. The conceptual approach is also represented: abstracting, quoting and criticising.

Participating artists (to date): Eelco Brand (b. NL, 1969) | Robbie Cornelissen (b. NL, 1954) | Han Hoogerbrugge (b. NL, 1963) | Job Joris & Marieke (in situ) | Mark Leckey (b. UK, 1954) | Tala Madani (b. IR, 1981) | Jacco Olivier (b. NL, 1972) | Serge Onnen (b. NL, 1965) (in situ) | The Old Boys Club | The One Minutes * | Christine Rebet (b. FR, 1971) | Robin Rhode (b. ZA, 1976) | Miljohn Ruperto (b. PH, 1971); animation by Aimée de Jongh (b. NL, 1988) | Tomas Schats (b. NL, 1976) | Bart Stolle (b. BE, 1974) | Quinten Swagerman (b. NL, 1987) | Sun Xun (b. CN, 1980).