Cartoon Saloon’s film “Song of the Sea” in Irish exhibition

By John Freeman on February 25, 2016

An interactive multi-media exhibition of original drawings, prints storyboards and animation from the animated film Song Of The Sea is running at the Siamsa Tíre National Folk Theatre in Tralee, the capital of beautiful County Kerry.

In celebration of the Irish release of Cartoon Saloon’s new film Song of the Sea in the summer of 2015, Butler Gallery presented an interactive, multi-media exhibition of original drawings, prints, storyboards, animation, music and scene-realisation. This exhibition is now on in Tralee.

Song Of The Sea is a visually stunning and moving story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse – the last Seal-child – who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land. The film skillfully mixes the magical and the everyday in a way that will enthrall viewers of all ages, young and old.

This multi-media exhibition, designed by industrial design studio Designgoat, provided an imaginative and accessible viewing of Cartoon Saloon’s movie-making process. Original working drawings revealed the multiplicity of processes involved in the realisation of animation. Visitors were able to design characters and create their own animations on-site.

An illustrated timeline charts the history of Song of the Sea, from initial drawings to the delivery of a world-class animation product.

Song of the Sea was directed by Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells) and features the voices of Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan, Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny. Music is by composer Bruno Coulais and Irish band Kila, both of whom previously collaborated on The Secret of Kells.

<br /> • Song of the Sea: The Exhibition is a free exhibition running until 25th March 2016, curated by the Butler Gallery, Kilkenny in collaboration with Cartoon Saloon and designed by Designgoat.

• Web: www.siamsatire.com/gallery/song-of-the-sea-the-exhibition

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

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