Motion Factory

A sort of large-scale interactive 'before and after' showcase for animated cinema, 'Motion Factory' is a gem of an exhibition for anyone who's ever wondered how many drawings make a short animation, or how exactly Wallace and Gromit manage to move from point A to point B. The 'before' section comprises the sketches, storyboards and materials used by a select group of 20-odd animators, some of whom will be on hand to present their work. Behind-the-scenes films provide further context, and do-it-yourself animation workshops give restless kids the opportunity to put what they've learned into practice.

The 'after' section consists of a showreel of around 60 (!) animated shorts, projected in a screening room onsite. These run the gamut of aesthetic styles, testifying to the immense artistry of a medium built from pencil, paper, clay and computer software. Like the Gaîté Lyrique's past exhibitions, 'Motion Factory' is huge in scope and ambition; unlike those, it works a treat, and will engage kids and curious adults alike.