Animated Shorts for the Family
Featuring Animations by PES
Saturday, March 2, 4PM
Location: Aurora Picture Show, 2442 Bartlett
Aurora Members Free with RSVP,Non-members $10 with Kids under 12 $5
Aurora Picture Show presents an afternoon of short films for the family as part of Popcorn Kids family series of screenings, these animated short films will not only please the kids of the house but also entertain mom and dad too. Inspired by the animation of filmmaker PES, Aurora Curator Mary Magsamen has pulled together a selection of animations that will screen on Saturday, March 2nd at 4PM inside Aurora Picture Show (2442 Bartlett Street).
The selection will include a variety of artists, but features the work of animator PES. PES is an artist who has earned global recognition for his innovative short films and unique approach to stop-motion animation. Often working with familiar foods, household items and found objects, PES has crafted some of the most memorable short films of recent years, including "KaBoom!," "Game Over," and "Western Spaghetti." His short film, "Fresh Guacamole" was recently nominated for an Academy Award for Beat Animated Short Film. It is the shortest film ever nominated for an Oscar and will be screened as part of the program. An early influence on PES's animation style is the work of Czech surrealist Jan Svankmajer.
Many of these animations are used to help teach stop-motion techniques in the youth education programs of Aurora Picture Show throughout Houston. During the film, the audience will be invited to go on a visual scavenger hunt to find each item to win a prize!
The following PES short films are featured in this program:
"Fresh Guacamole"
Fresh Guacamole is an innovative stop-motion animation, based purely on the idea of using common household objects to make guacamole, such as grenades for avocados, baseballs as onions, and pincusions as tomatoes.
"The Deep"
Using tools and metal scraps collected over five years, "The Deep" is a tribute to deep sea creatures.
"Western Spaghetti"
Western Spaghetti was named TIME Magazine's "#2 Viral Video of the Year" in 2008. It features Pes's hands making spaghetti out of atypical objects. He boils pick-up-sticks which turn into rubber bands (the noodles for the spaghetti) and cuts up a dollar bill (basil) from an herb bush.
"Game Over"
In "Game Over", Pes has recreated the iconic arcade games of the 70s and 80s using ordinary household items through the process of stop-motion animation-objects chosen not only for their formal characteristics but also for their interpretive meaning.
"KaBoom!"
The war short "KaBoom!" (2004) was instrumental in defining the artist's personal style and approach to animating objects. The film features an atomic airstrike on a miniature city using children's toys and festive objects such as gift bows, Christmas ornaments, and clown-head cupcake toppers.
"PEE-NUT"
"Pee-Nut" is a playful animation, which features a fish falling into a stream of water.
Popcorn Kids programs are made possible thanks to the support of Target.