The Crocker Gets Animated with Warner Bros. Exhibition
The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons on view November 14, 2008 - January 18, 2009
August 7, 2008 - Sacramento, Calif. - Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Wile E. Coyote and their comrades come together in The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons at the Crocker Art Museum, on view November 14, 2008 - January 18, 2009. The exhibition consists of more than 160 drawings, paintings, animation cels and related art objects used in the making of Warner's classic cartoons. Warner Bros. animation stands among the most famous art ever produced in California.
The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons traces the development of all of Warner's cartoon stars, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how classical cel animation was made. The show demonstrates how the studio's skilled draftsmen and talented animators paid close, yet inventive attention to anatomy and facial expression in order to add soul to their characters, creating hundreds of drawings and model sheets in the process. From their hand-drawn labors evolved a parade of unforgettable characters such as Bugs, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig.
The Crocker exhibition is greatly expanded from the Museum of Modern Art show first held in 1985. Works by all of the Warner studio's directors from the 1930s through 1960s-including Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, Friz Freleng and Bob Clampett, now considered the giants of American animated filmmakers-are represented. Highlights of the exhibit include Arthur Davis's cel from What Makes Daffy Duck and Chuck Jones's cel from Rabbit Hood.
While cartoons are often associated with childhood, this collection of rarely seen animations appeals to audiences of all ages. "Many people are familiar with the cartoons, but this is a chance to see the artistic process and raw talent behind those iconic images," states Lial A. Jones, Museum Director.
The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; 1st and 3rd Thursdays until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.
