files/pictures/picture-35.jpgThe Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) announced it has partnered with Cartoon Network for OMSI's new animation international touring exhibit slated to debut on the science museum's floor in Portland, Oregon, in October 2005.
“Animation,” a 6,000-square-foot, highly interactive traveling exhibition, brings together art, math, science and technology by exploring the world of animation. “Animation” will showcase popular cartoon characters and original series from Cartoon Network throughout the exhibition.
"We are so pleased to partner with Cartoon Network, one of the world's most popular and recognized animated entertainment networks, on this exciting science exhibit," said Ray Vandiver, vp, exhibits, OMSI. "By including Cartoon Network's cast of world-renowned animated characters in the exhibit, we believe visitors will really connect with it and learn about the math and science behind animation in a fun and entertaining way."
"A common misconception about making cartoons is it primarily requires people who can draw freehand," said Dennis Adamovich, svp of marketing for Cartoon Network. "What this exhibit will reveal in full interactive detail is the number of different skills involved in creating animation — from voice-acting and recording to computer programming and scoring, from screenwriting and storyboarding to sound-effects and editing. There truly is a science to this colorful, engaging art form. OMSI's unique exhibit will offer entire families a more complete understanding of it, and hopefully inspire young people to consider animation as a future career."
Through a series of hands-on exhibits, graphics and videos, visitors will explore the process of animation and create their own animated sequences. As they bring their creations to life, they will use math and science concepts and skills, just as real animators do. A variety of animation tools, techniques and styles will be explored, including drawings, stop-motion animation and computer animation.
"At OMSI, we know first-hand the effectiveness of using animation in teaching," explains Vandiver. "For the past nine years, OMSI has partnered with award-winning animators in presenting classes that bring out the math and science behind animation. These classes are among the museum's most popular offerings. There is a great need for innovative and effective methods of engaging children and adults in math and science and we believe the multi-faceted ‘Animation’ exhibit does just that."
The exhibit’s six thematic areas feature concepts important to the field of animation. In History, visitors learn about early animation and persistence of vision. In Animation Studio, they learn about the process of animation and techniques and tools animators use. In Art in Motion, they find out why art and math are important in the creation of characters, motion and change. In Science Lab, they explore the science and technology that make animation possible. Sound and Stage teaches the principles of sound and phonetics. In Cartoon Museum, visitors view famous animation clips and important artifacts such as cels, models and storyboard drawings from their favorite animated television series.
Following its world premiere at OMSI, “Animation” will travel for approximately eight years — first to member institutions of the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative (SMEC), a consortium of seven U.S. science centers, and then to additional science centers and museums nationwide.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, OMSI is one of the nation's top 10 science museums, a world-class tourist attraction and an educational resource that puts the "wow" in science for the kid in each of us. OMSI has been building exhibits for more than 50 years and has earned an international reputation for its innovative, interactive and engaging exhibits. OMSI boasts one of the largest traveling exhibits programs in the country. OMSI exhibits have toured the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Middle East. Visit
www.omsi.edu for more information.
Cartoon Network, seen in 87.8 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System Inc.'s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering animated entertainment. Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable's highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network's Web site is located at
www.CartoonNetwork.com .
