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10 • POSTED ON September 16, 2005
Posted by mcollins 
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LAUNCHES NEW BOOK UNSUNG HEROES OF ANIMATION
"When future cinema archeologists dig deep into
the history of the art form that was animation, and its artists, during the late
20th and early 21st centuries, this excellent collection of insightful biographical
essays by Chris Robinson, a modern Vasari, will provide invaluable illumination. As
director of the Ottawa International Animation Festival, Robinson is the perfect
guide, viewing as he does over 1000 animated films a year. His book focuses on a
world of little known, fiercely independent contemporary animators…Robinson writes
with keen perception and a critical eye; he is sincere, compassionate and always
passionate about his subjects, many of whom push the borders of film content and
technique wide open. His unfailingly evocative descriptions of the works make one
hungry to see them."
John Canemaker, Filmmaker, The Moon and the Son
Throughout its history, animation has been primarily defined as cartoons that make
people laugh, a medium of gags, caricatures, animals and fart jokes. Most people
have no idea that there also exists a more personal, provocative and poetic side of
animation, one that is not made for money and mass audiences. Noted animation critic
and historian Chris Robinson pays tribute to those faces and voices that remain
largely unseen and unappreciated by featuring portraits of over thirty
internationally acclaimed animators (including Ryan Larkin, The Brothers Quay,
George Griffin, Piotr Dumala and Igor Kovalyov). Robinson will sign copies of Unsung
Heroes of Animation at the official book launch at the National Arts Centre, Southam
Hall, on Friday, September 23 at 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. during this year's Ottawa
International Animation Festival.
"When I opened his manuscript I was so delighted with it that I found it hard to put
it down. He dares to ask animators of enigmatic work to explain what the hell their
work is about, and he digs deep enough to get solid answers…His work on Ryan Larkin
goes far beyond the glimpse of him seen in Chris Landreth's film, "Ryan". Robinson's
essays make the animators sound intellectually exciting and make me want to see the
works I've missed. This volume is an important contribution to our knowledge of
contemporary animation."
Karl Cohen, author of Forbidden Animation: Censored Cartoons and Blacklisted Animators
Chris Robinson is also the author of Between Genius and Utter Illiteracy: A Story of
Estonian Animation, Ottawa Senators: Great Stories from the NHL's first dynasty,
Great Left Wingers, and Stole This From a Hockey Card: A Philosophy of Hockey, Doug
Harvey, Identity and Booze. An anthology of Robinson's controversial and widely read
'gonzo' columns "The Animation Pimp" will be published in 2006. He is currently
working on a novel about angels, devils and everything in-between.
Unsung Heroes of Animation is published by John Libbey Publishing and distributed in
North America by Indiana University Press.
The Ottawa International Animation Festival is the largest festival of its kind in
North America and one of the most respected animation festivals in the world.
Bringing art and industry together, the Festival attracts production executives,
artists, students and animation fans from across Canada and around the world. The
OIAF will be held September 21st to 25th. Individual screening tickets are $10 for
adults and $5 for kids under 12 and seniors. Passes are also available. For full
Festival screening information, please visit our website at www.animationfestival.ca
or call 613-232-8769.
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