A place to explore the materials that shaped animation.

A curated media catalogue dedicated to animation’s material sensibility. A workshop space that embraces materials as animate, creative collaborators.

More About the Project

Material Exploration

How did these materials shape the industrial, cultural, and artistic history of animation? Each profile offers an in-depth look into the science and art of a key material in animation history.

Media Catalogue

How does animation activate the dynamic and sensory qualities of different materials? Our curated media catalogue highlights films and multimedia works that have compelling material sensibilities. 

  • 12min20sec

    2025

    Brazil

    Safo

    Rosana Urbes

    This mixed-media animation reconstructs the fragmented legacy of the poetess Safo, layering archival remnants into richly textured collages.

  • 9m

    2025

    UK

    Criatura

    Nitya Ramlogan

    Translucent acetate cutouts characterize a young girl’s encounter with a mysterious creature as she navigates her cross-oceanic migration.

  • 10m

    1959

    USA

    Moonbird

    John Hubley, Faith Hubley

    Backed by the voices of the filmmakers’ children, two brothers set out on a late-night adventure to capture…

Workshop Activities

How can animation become a dynamic and tactile process of researching materials in action? Our workshop activities include special events, artists interviews, and experiments with materials-based animation.

Get in Touch

We are eager to hear from visitors to our virtual workshop space. Send us a note. Make suggestions and film recommendations. Propose collaborations with artists, scholars, and researchers from any discipline interested in the animacy of materials.

Contact Us