“HE'S the greatest, he’s fantastic, wherever there is danger he’ll be there. He’s the ace, he’s amazing, he’s the strongest, he’s the quickest, he’s the best.”
No not our very own Gordo, but the theme tune for Danger Mouse, who takes a starring role in this small exhibition alongside fan-faves such as Toad from The Wind in the Willows, Toby from Toby’s Travelling Circus, The BFG and Chorlton from Chorlton and the Wheelies.
Creating the Illusion: Animation in the North West is an exhibition exploring the history of animation beginning in Greater Manchester. From the development of Edwardian Magic Lantern projectors through to the use of modern CGI, all based loosely around the contribution of Manchester’s Brian Cosgrave and Mark Hall, pioneers of UK-based animation and children’s television.
There’s also a nifty little stop motion animation machine and wooden block that you can lark around with in the corner – well as much larking that can be had with a wooden block, a camera and twelve frames. Here’s my effort (watch out Nick Park):
Brian Cosgrove of the former Cosgrave Hall Studios said “Mark Hall and I set up our first studio in the 70s and it grew from there. It is a history of which I am very proud. I think it is fair to say that what we started all those years ago has established the North of England as the centre of the country’s animation industry. The people we’ve trained have Hollywood directors coming over to hire their skills.”
Curator of the exhibition Jan Hicks said, “The North West is home to a significant number of animation companies, and they’re all here because of Cosgrove Hall. Creating the Illusion celebrates animation in the North West and helps to tell an important story in the region’s history.”
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Creating the Illusion: Animation in the North West is the first exhibition in MOSI’s new Highlights Gallery programme and runs from 22 June to 2 Novemeber 2013.
MOSI, Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4FP
0161 832 2244
