The National Museum of Classic Books has turned into a shrine for both young and adult fans of animation, as the wide-ranging Key Animation Expo takes over for an exciting two month residency there.
What’s on display are more than 400 animation scripts, drawings and original celluloid stills from world famous cartoons and animated films, including Disney classics such as Mickey Mouse, Bambi, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, and Alice in Wonderland, and Japanese cartoons such as Detective Conan and Dragon Ball, names that will instill excitement in young fans, or bring back happy childhood memories for adult visitors.
Pencil sketch for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Pencil sketches and cels (transparent plastic sheets) used to be the main methods of producing animations. Those time-intensive techniques of film-making have given way to modern technology, but the few surviving examples are rare and precious exhibits, and a fitting tribute to a bygone era in the history of the movie industry.
Most of the exhibits are contributed by private collectors, including Vaytch Robin, an animator who worked at the Walt Disney Studios. There are two extremely rare ones—one from Alice in Wonderland (1951), and one from Lady and the Tramp (1955)—both signed by Walt Disney himself.
Celluloid piece for Alice in Wonderland with signature by Walt Disney.
One section of the exhibition hall has been decorated to recreate the look of a 1930s animation studio, where visitors can try their hand at painting, after admiring the masterpieces.
Key Animation Expo
RMB 100 (weekends), RMB 80 (week days), RMB 60 (children under 1.2m); 9am-5pm daily Tue-Sun (check-in before 4pm) until October 14; National Museum of Classic Books, No. 33 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District 海淀区中关村南大街33号国家典籍博物馆 (8854 4757)
Photos: Artron.net
