Analyzing Angel's Egg
Format
Oral Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Jeffery Hole
Faculty Mentor Department
English
Abstract/Artist Statement
In 1985, young animator Mamoru Oshii began an ambitious project to bridge surrealism and animation. In collaboration with the renowned artist Yoshitaka Amano, Oshii succeeded in creating Angel's Egg, which would stand as the first of many experimental animated features to come. The original video animation film presents a vibrant and dynamic landscape, accented by sparse dialogue and richly ambiguous symbolism. However, as innovative as the film was at the time of its inception, its avant garde nature fared poorly with critics, and today only a handful of hard copies still exist in market circulation. The elaborate animation and ambiguous storytelling present in Angel's Egg would not be seen again until three years later with the release of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira in 1988, which captivated audiences and critics around the world. Today there is still little to no criticism written on the earlier Angel's Egg. My research evaluates why this particular work was passed over on the timeline of development in avant garde animation, and I draw attention to how the significantly dark color palette, the rhythm in which the story is presented, and music arrangement leave the initial viewer feeling ajar and dismissive of the film. Upon closer inspection, I argue, the film presents an intense discussion of human faith, memory, and consciousness. The film also reveals a unique circular narrative the likes of which hasn't been seen in animation since. In the aftermath of Angel's Egg, I show, most future avant garde works began to adhere to more concrete, albeit skeletal plot devices to maintain the intrigue and attention of filmgoers. Ultimately, I aim to raise awareness of this work by providing analysis and scholarly conjecture on an art piece that has lain dormant for far too long.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Room 211
Start Date
30-4-2016 1:00 PM
End Date
30-4-2016 3:00 PM
Analyzing Angel's Egg
DeRosa University Center, Room 211
In 1985, young animator Mamoru Oshii began an ambitious project to bridge surrealism and animation. In collaboration with the renowned artist Yoshitaka Amano, Oshii succeeded in creating Angel's Egg, which would stand as the first of many experimental animated features to come. The original video animation film presents a vibrant and dynamic landscape, accented by sparse dialogue and richly ambiguous symbolism. However, as innovative as the film was at the time of its inception, its avant garde nature fared poorly with critics, and today only a handful of hard copies still exist in market circulation. The elaborate animation and ambiguous storytelling present in Angel's Egg would not be seen again until three years later with the release of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira in 1988, which captivated audiences and critics around the world. Today there is still little to no criticism written on the earlier Angel's Egg. My research evaluates why this particular work was passed over on the timeline of development in avant garde animation, and I draw attention to how the significantly dark color palette, the rhythm in which the story is presented, and music arrangement leave the initial viewer feeling ajar and dismissive of the film. Upon closer inspection, I argue, the film presents an intense discussion of human faith, memory, and consciousness. The film also reveals a unique circular narrative the likes of which hasn't been seen in animation since. In the aftermath of Angel's Egg, I show, most future avant garde works began to adhere to more concrete, albeit skeletal plot devices to maintain the intrigue and attention of filmgoers. Ultimately, I aim to raise awareness of this work by providing analysis and scholarly conjecture on an art piece that has lain dormant for far too long.