When the first Animamix Biennale was held at MoCA Shanghai, it showcased works from the worlds of animation and comics by nearly 100 artists from some 10 countries.

Since then, the Animamix name has become a banner under which events are held internationally to showcase works by artists both in their home countries and overseas.

A work of animation and comics from the Animamix Biennale Photos: Courtesy of MoCA Shanghai

Now the fourth Animamix Biennale returns to its home city, having already been held at Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts in Taiwan, Daegu Art Museum in South Korea, the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University in Beijing, Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre and Macao Museum of Art.

It will see works from 13 artists and collectives from Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and the United Kingdom, including paintings, videos, photographs, sculptures and installations.

A work of animation and comics from the Animamix Biennale Photos: Courtesy of MoCA Shanghai

Rediscovery

The theme for all the 2013-2014 Animamix events is "Drama Within," which curator of the exhibition Wang Weiwei said she interprets as referring to the inner life of the self. She named the Shanghai exhibition Rediscovery, and  said the works address such diverse subjects as ancient civilization, traditional culture, the history of humanity and individual memory.

Beijing-based artist Sun Xun has become a significant independent animation artist in recent years with his outstanding hand-drawn animations that often integrate with ink-painting and prints made from wood blocks. Most of his animation works focus on the contemplation of history and society, as well as his personal experiences. Visitors can see seven of his short animation films at the exhibition. These include Mythos, which creates a strange space and time with fragmented history and personal experiences, and 21KE, in which the artist addresses the self and the meaning of life.

Meanwhile, Shanghai-born artist Lu Yang has used her fertile imagination to depict human organs such as the brain and the uterus as animated figures with emotions and even super powers.

A work of animation and comics from the Animamix Biennale Photos: Courtesy of MoCA Shanghai

Tsai Shiu-cheng, born in Kaohsiung in Taiwan, has conducted in-depth research into Taiwanese religion, folklore and customs, and has incorporated elements of these into his 23-minute animation Time of Cherry Blossoms, which follows a child's adventure at an old temple. One of the initiators of the original Animamix in 2007, Victoria Lu, is also participating in the exhibition with her artist collective Viki Lulu House. Their anime video installation Viki Lulu showcases multiple animation styles through an animated female figure.

Lu said at the opening of the exhibition on April 11 that the spirit of the Animamix Biennale can be summed up in four aspects. First, it is a worship of youth; second, it's about telling stories using vivid images rather than to present abstract and obscure artworks; third, it celebrates the art of light through the pixels of the various screens that have come to dominate modern life; and fourth, it highlights the crossover of different art forms, encouraging their integration.

Samuel Kung, who was the other initiator of the original 2007 event and is the curator of MoCA Shanghai, said the aim of Animamix is to break free from the stereotype that sees such art events as being fixed to a specific place, and for it to be an open platform for art institutions from around the world to celebrate animation and comic artists.

An exhibit from the show Little Mona Lisa

Child friendly 

MoCA Shanghai is also hosting its first exhibition aimed at children. Co-produced with Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Little Mona Lisa will invite children to explore different versions of the Mona Lisa created by artists in Taiwan and Shanghai.

Participating artists present diverse interpretations of the world-renowned painting, such as a mechanical-styled illustration of Mona Lisa created by Croter Hung from Taiwan and a series of photographs of people who bear a similar smile to the subject of the portrait presented by Wang Gangfeng in Shanghai.

The venue will also put on a range of interactive lectures and games to stimulate interest in art among children.

An exhibit from the show Little Mona Lisa

Date: Until June 15, 10 am to 6 pm

Venue: MoCA Shanghai

上海当代艺术馆

Address: 231 Nanjing Road West

南京西路231号

Admission: 50 yuan

Call 6327-9900 for details