Article from Rochester Institute of Technology showcasing the exhibit: "New exhibition guides visitors through RIT's stop motion history" by Aaron Garland, January 24, 2024
Promo videos for the exhibitions:
Exhibition text: Rochester Institute of Technology has a proud and storied history with stop motion animation - a history that predates the School of Film and Animation itself. Our alumni have worked on and led productions across the industry, including projects for Netflix, Universal Pictures, A24, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Aardman Studios, and Laika Studios.
This exhibit celebrates the history of stop motion animation at Rochester Institute of Technology spanning from 1976 to today. Alumni such as Stephen Chiodo, Tom Gasek, and Malcolm Spaull were celebrated for their animated short films in the late 1970s, and their legacy at RIT continues through generations of students working in the discipline of stop motion animation.
Alongside the films, the puppets and props in this exhibition exist as artifacts of the process of creating these animated shorts. By slowly and painstakingly capturing each subtle repositioning, the animators create the illusion of their craft in its most magical form. The puppets’ materiality and physicality are reminders of the power of stop motion, a medium that blurs the line between reality and fantasy - truly brings inanimate objects to life.
Opening Reception - William Harris Gallery - February 2024
Featuring the work of:
Stephen Chiodo, Tom Gasek, Malcolm Spaull, Teresa Drilling, Jim Downer, Joey McIntosh, Derik Bibb, Lindsay Berkebile, Maximillian Lopez, Warren Sheetz, Raymond McCarthy Bergeron, Parker Merrick, Cami Kwan, Ilyssa Simsek, Ben Doran, Andrew Sonntag, Laiken Hall, Sahana Maheswaran, Elaina Couse, Piper Charron, Saige Kanik, Roshni Jayakrishnan Nair, Jake Robbins, Ashton Polak
Co-curated by Christine Banna and Saige Kanik
Special thanks to: John Aäsp, Shanti Thakur, Andrew Sonntag, Karen Henry, Shane Durgee, Lex Deprey, Kevin Bauer, Bill Landers, School of Film & Animation, & Tom Gasek
to see more of Saige's work: https://bootsandnoodles.myportfolio.com/