Brooklyn filmmaker's short stop-motion animated film "The Reading" produced and directed by visual artist Catya Plate and nominated for Best Animation screens at the 8th Seattle True Independent Film Festival with a mind-boggling display of unusual characters scrutinizing our human condition.
The film's stars in this darkly hilarious tale are Clothespin Freaks, two-headed characters made of clear clothespins, sewn pieces and doll's body parts. In 2003 Plate invented the Clothespin Freak characters in a series of drawings as "a serio-comic response to our angst-ridden times." In Plate's paintings, sculptures, artist's book and installations these Clothespin Freaks continued to evolve. In 2009, inspired by filmmakers like Jan Svankmajer and the Bolex Brothers, Plate pushed her characters even further and brought them to life through animation. Based on Plate's "Clothespin Tarot" artist book from 2007 "The Reading" was born.
Plate's mentor, Heather Dell, (Art Historian and Director at the Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery, New York) says, ""The Reading" is an animated short film, a painting, a drawing and a sculpture. It is in fact a project that galvanizes the talents and career of Catya Plate into one brilliant package. I do hope that you will enjoy "The Reading" as much as I did." "Catya Plate enters the world of animation without unnecessary complexes or reservations, and presents us with a surprising and daring story as if taken from a somnambulist dream of Alice in Wonderland", states Piotr Kardas, Program Director at the Se-ma-for Film Festival 2010/2011, Poland and Alexander Campos, Executive Director at The Center of Book Arts, New York where "The Reading" world premiered in 2010 says: "Whimsically executed, the macabre-like adventure in "The Reading" is both witty and alluring. Referencing surrealist and romanticism notions, this short film, brilliantly brings out relevant social and psychological issues of existence, knowledge and value."
Plate's mentor, Heather Dell, (Art Historian and Director at the Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery, New York) says, ""The Reading" is an animated short film, a painting, a drawing and a sculpture. It is in fact a project that galvanizes the talents and career of Catya Plate into one brilliant package. I do hope that you will enjoy "The Reading" as much as I did." "Catya Plate enters the world of animation without unnecessary complexes or reservations, and presents us with a surprising and daring story as if taken from a somnambulist dream of Alice in Wonderland", states Piotr Kardas, Program Director at the Se-ma-for Film Festival 2010/2011, Poland and Alexander Campos, Executive Director at The Center of Book Arts, New York where "The Reading" world premiered in 2010 says: "Whimsically executed, the macabre-like adventure in "The Reading" is both witty and alluring. Referencing surrealist and romanticism notions, this short film, brilliantly brings out relevant social and psychological issues of existence, knowledge and value."
Born in Barcelona, Spain, and raised in Germany, Catya Plate attended the Werkkunstschule, Köln, before coming to New York on a Fulbright Scholarship for postgraduate studies at School of Visual Arts.
Recently nominated for Best Animation at the Queens World Film Festival, Don Cato, Program Director QWFF, calls "The Reading" "a beautifully outlandish stop motion whose characterizations, costumes, set pieces and action complement a crazy bright nightmare. The sound and music enhance a Vaudevillian atmosphere that signals the joy of the work. Thoughts of a "Rarebit Fiend" come to mind in this very smart serious silliness."
One can expect to see more of Plate's art as she is currently working on her second animated stop-motion short film where her characters, the Clothespin Freaks, continue to be featured in new and challenging adventures.
So, for those who enjoy an interesting and unusual gem of a film, check out "The Reading". Andie Agnew, co-director at Crossroads Film Festival says: "The Reading is a mesmerizing ride through a dream world populated by whimsical clothespin people. Some have two heads, or elaborate outfits, but all of them are on a quest to show our heroine a glimpse into her future. The stop-motion animation is captivating; together with humorous sound effects this film creates a fun and memorable sensory experience."
Screening date, time and place: Saturday, May 12th, Saturday Morning Cartoons and Bloody Marys, 2:00pm, Grand Illusion Cinema.
For more information go to http://stiff2012animation-eorg.eventbrite.com/
image:http://www.catyaplate.com/gallery/devil-pr.jpg
trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUVhXHLxLAg
