From Doodles to Pixels: Over a Hundred Years of Spanish Animation

This major retrospective of the little-known art and industry of Spanish animation comprises eight programs featuring historic work from 1908 through the end of the dictatorship, in 1975.

From Doodles to Pixels. Over One Hundred Years of Spanish Animation is a response to the desire to showcase a little known history –that of Spanish animation cinema. Films like Chico & Rita (Javier Mariscal, Fernando Trueba y Tono Errando, 2010), Las aventuras de Tadeo Jones (Enrique Gato, 2012) or Pos Eso (Sam, 2014) have put Spanish animation on the international map, but these examples are just the tip of the iceberg of the talent and years of hard work involved in creating art and industry, in some cases against all the odds. This cycle is the result of a task of research, revision and recovery of historical material in dialogue with more recent works.

From Doodles to Pixels is a coproduction of the CCCB and AC/E (Acción Cultural Española) that brings together a selection of films animated using diverse techniques that represent turbulent times ranging from the early twentieth century to the present day. It features recurring themes such as links with the world of comic books, reflections of political concerns and dialogue with the visual arts.

It’s a story with lots of gaps and isolated landmarks (Europe’s first animated colour feature was Garbancito de la Mancha), dotted with forgotten works; for years, it seemed as though Spanish animation hardly existed. This program shows that nothing could be further from the truth. Great care has been taken to choose works representing each time period and trend, as well as highlighting Spain’s idiosyncrasy with all its cultural diversity.

Carolina López, Director, Xcèntric, Contemporary Culture Center of Barcelona (CCCB), and a number of special guest animators will introduce select programs.

Program 1: Doodles

• On Wednesday, September 7, from 7 pm to 9 pm.
• On Monday, September 12, from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Program 2: Under the Yoke

• On Thursday, September 8, from 4 pm to 6 pm.
• On Monday, September 12, from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Program 3: Modern Times

• On Thursday, September 8, from 7 pm to 9 pm.
• On Tuesday, September 13, from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Program 4: Macian

• On Friday, September 9, from 4 pm to 6 pm.
• On Tuesday, September 13, from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Program 5: Artist Trace

• On Friday, September 9, from 7 pm to 9 pm.
• On Wednesday, September 14, from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Program 6: Humor

• On Saturday, September 10, from 4 pm to 6 pm.
• On Wednesday, September 14, from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Program 7: Destination

• On Saturday, September 10, from 7 pm to 9 pm.
• On Thursday, September 15, from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Program 8: Next

• On Sunday, September 11, from 2 pm to 4 pm.
• On Thursday, September 15, from 7 pm to 9 pm.