08.08.2012
A lecture and master-class by Yuri Norstein
On August 31, Yuri Norstein will deliver a lecture and master-class entitled ‘Journal Entries.’ Starting at 8 p.m., the world-famous animator will screen and comment on his ‘Tale of Tales,’ ‘Hedgehog in the Fog,’ and fragments of his other works (including the unfinished ‘Overcoat’), recounting in detail how he conceived each of his characters.
The original paper models of the Hedgehog and the Little Grey Wolf will arrive in Saint-Petersburg along with the sketches, storyboards, and other materials that the filmmaker will show to the public during the lecture. He will also produce drawings that will be shared during his master-class.
Norstein’s works are exhibited in museums and studied in universities world-wide. It is thanks to him that animated films are no longer regarded as child’s play but have acquired the status of genuine art. Norstein is a founder of an entirely new trend: poetic animation; he introduced 3D effects long before the technology became common. His films are inspired by classical literature, folklore, fine arts, and philosophy. During the past thirteen years the artist has been working on an adaptation of Gogol’s ‘Overcoat,’ in the process coming to embody the figure of an uncompromising artist. While computer technology became widespread in animation, he remained true to the technique he began with initially; using multiple glass panes to produce an effect of depth and motion. Neither commercial, nor ideological considerations have stopped him from realizing his artistic vision. Isao Takahata, the co-founder of Japan’s Studio Ghibli, authored a book about Norstein, while another studio co-founder, the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, holds Norstein among his teachers.
The Norstein event at the Mikhailovsky is part of the Yota YES Lecture Series: an interdisciplinary educational program that attempts to answer the question ‘who is shaping the future today?’. Among the guest speakers are specialists in media and technology, fashion and design, music and theater, architecture and art, literature and cinema; all trend-setters in their respective fields. The on-line broadcast of Norstein’s master-class and lecture will be available at where visitors are welcome to register for the event and leave questions for Yuri Norstein.
The original paper models of the Hedgehog and the Little Grey Wolf will arrive in Saint-Petersburg along with the sketches, storyboards, and other materials that the filmmaker will show to the public during the lecture. He will also produce drawings that will be shared during his master-class.
Norstein’s works are exhibited in museums and studied in universities world-wide. It is thanks to him that animated films are no longer regarded as child’s play but have acquired the status of genuine art. Norstein is a founder of an entirely new trend: poetic animation; he introduced 3D effects long before the technology became common. His films are inspired by classical literature, folklore, fine arts, and philosophy. During the past thirteen years the artist has been working on an adaptation of Gogol’s ‘Overcoat,’ in the process coming to embody the figure of an uncompromising artist. While computer technology became widespread in animation, he remained true to the technique he began with initially; using multiple glass panes to produce an effect of depth and motion. Neither commercial, nor ideological considerations have stopped him from realizing his artistic vision. Isao Takahata, the co-founder of Japan’s Studio Ghibli, authored a book about Norstein, while another studio co-founder, the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, holds Norstein among his teachers.
The Norstein event at the Mikhailovsky is part of the Yota YES Lecture Series: an interdisciplinary educational program that attempts to answer the question ‘who is shaping the future today?’. Among the guest speakers are specialists in media and technology, fashion and design, music and theater, architecture and art, literature and cinema; all trend-setters in their respective fields. The on-line broadcast of Norstein’s master-class and lecture will be available at where visitors are welcome to register for the event and leave questions for Yuri Norstein.
