ANIMATION ART BIENNIAL
The Animamix Biennial is unique. The first was held in 2007, organised by Victoria Lu, an experienced curator and the Artistic Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai. This years show, also curated by Lu, spans four galleries: the Museum of Contemporary Art (Taipei, Taiwan), the Museum of Contemporary Art (Shanghai, China), Today Art Museum (Beijing, China) and the Guangdong Museum of Art (Guangzhou, China).
Animamix Biennial, 2009-2010, MOCA Shanghai
It presents art that develops or embodies the Animamix aesthetic, artwork that combines the styles of animation and comics.
The term “Animamix” was actually coined in 2004 by Lu when she became aware of the emerging stylistic trend while curating Fiction.Love at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Taipei, Taiwan.
Fiction.Love, 2004, MOCA Taipei
Animamix is now entering the mainstream, pushing the artists who have developed this style into the spotlight, artists such as Takashi Murakami (Japan), mixed-media visual artist Trenton Doyle Hancock (U.S.A.) and Brazilian painter Oscar Oiwa. As the style encompasses a broad range of mediums, and is often brightly coloured with bizarre narratives, it has an inherent ability to attract attention.
Animamix Biennial, 2009-2010, Guangdong Museum of Art, China
Always interested in exploring emerging trends, Art Radar Asia spoke briefly with curator Victoria Lu about the Biennial:
On Animamix as an artistic trend
The Animamix Biennial was inaugurated in 2007. Since then, has this art direction become more recognisable to mainstream audiences or does it still sit on the fringes?
This answer is rather difficult to define. If I judge by the growing numbers of Animamix direction artworks in the international art fairs, I can say yes. The Animamix direction is growing internationally.
Is this style popular internationally (for audiences, dealers and buyers) or is the popularity restricted to the Asian region?
There is more Animamix kind of artworks available in Asia market for the moment, so I believe Animamix art is more popular in Asia. But there are more and more artists in Europe working [with an] Animamix direction.
On the Biennial
Why did you want to start this Biennial?
I am tired of the current international biennials. There are a group of curators [which have been] leading the conceptual direction for too long. You will find [that] very similar artists list no matter where you go. So I want to try something new, something different. My concept for the Animamix Biennial is an ongoing evolution of art exhibitions and activities. This kind of biennial can really reflect the local art scene.
Would it be fair to say this Biennial is an Asian-initiated event focussing on an art trend that is becoming more globalised?
International biennials were started in Europe in the early last century. Now biennials are becoming more and more popular in the Asia, starting from the beginning of this century. Many cities in Asia are competing for the exposure of their art and culture.
Generally, how has the exhibition been received by critics and museum patrons?
My Animamix shows are very well received by audiences. So far we have also been well received by the critics.
Which artists have been well received by critics and audiences? Are there any “stars” of the Biennial?
I cannot say who the stars are. They are all important to me.
Animamix Biennial, 2009-2010, Today Art Museum, Beijing
The final leg of the Animamix Biennial, Dazzled and Enchanted – New Age Animamix, is now showing at the Guangdong Museum of Art in Guangzhou, China. The show will close on 28 February 2010.
KN
Related Posts:
- A Perspective on Asian art Biennial 2009 – January 2010
- Top 17 Asian artists 2009: Art Radar’s most searched artists – January 2010
- Top 5 sites for Japanese contemporary art news by Matthew Larking – June 2009
- New York’s first major show of Anime, Manga and Video Games KRAZY! Japan Society – February 2009
- Takashi Murakami’s one of a kind art fair Gesai grows in size – September 2008
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