By 1808Delaware
This year we’re continuing our weekly look at unique events and attractions that are within an easy driving distance of Delaware County. We call these “Summer Road Trips.” Of course, we regularly feature the many extraordinary places to visit right here in Delaware County and encourage our readers to get out and experience what is on offer in our own backyard.
This week’s adventure is right down the road.
The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) will host premier exhibition The Animation Academy this summer. The exhibition is open to the public through September 6.
The exhibition comes from Stage Nine Entertainment Inc. and focuses on the unique and entertaining world of animation, from the classics of traditional hand drawn cell animation to the ever changing and exciting world of computer animation. The exhibition will explore treasures from a variety of studios and collections including The Clokey Estate, Chuck Jones Center Archive, and Screen Novelties.
The Animation Academy features a custom spinning six-foot zoetrope with such classics as The Simpsons, Felix and Gumby. Guests will learn the basic theories and disciplines of animation in a unique and entertaining way. From this central hub, guests will wander through and experience unique aspects of animation features and shorts, from 2-D peg board animation to 3-D stop motion, claymation, model work and CGI.
Interactive stations throughout the exhibit will feature the drawing, painting and layout of traditional animation to an area where you will be able to listen to sound effects in a traditional cartoon.
“COSI is particularly excited to host this exhibition featuring such iconic characters and the inspiration behind them,” said COSI President and CEO Dr. Frederic Bertley. “Because we’re not just a science museum, we’re a cultural institution, thereby providing a 360 degree cultural experience fusing science and the arts. Visitors will not only get a behind-the-scenes look at the science behind animation but will also feel the nostalgia of seeing artifacts from some of their favorite Saturday morning cartoons and more.”
“With The Animation Academy exhibit, we strive to inspire the public to share in our love of the magic that goes into animated movies and television, from concept to launch,” explains exhibit director and owner of Stage Nine, Troy Carlson. “Animation has become a driving force in Hollywood filmmaking, especially in helping develop the rising popularity of 3D animation in film and now in TV. Movies are our passion at Stage Nine. The Animation Academy gives us the opportunity to help educate the next generation of animators with unprecedented access to archival examples and information about the top animation studios.”
Display cases will house unique 3-D models and collectibles from the industry and films that have made history. Also on display will be original artwork from the classics from pencil drawings and painted cels to painted backgrounds. Major areas of the exhibit will be dedicated to the various styles of animation; from an area dedicated to the beginnings of American classic cartoon characters to Saturday Morning Cartoons, prime time TV Cartoons and stop motion animation.
COSI is now open Thursdays through Sundays, 10am – 5pm. To find out more about The Animation Academy and to reserve your tickets to visit COSI online, please visit cosi.org.
Source: COSI; Photo: Creative Commons License
