Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase (1992)

Two-dimensional clay animations melding and merging the work of 35 famous artists.

Director:

Joan C. Gratz

Star:

Jean G. Poulot

Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview:
Jean G. Poulot	...	(voice)

Storyline

In "Mona Lisa Descending a Staircse", images of the human face are transformed to communicate the graphic style and emotional content of key artworks of the 20th century, creating an animated history of art. The improvisational nature of Gratz's animation explores the unconscious through abstract imagery. Working with bits of clay she blends colors and etches fine lines to create a seamless flow of images.

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Plot Keywords:

artist | metamorphosis | self portrait | fine art | painter | 

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Genres:

Animation | Short

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Certificate:

TV-G

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title take its origin from the painting «Nude descending a Staircase» by Marcel Duchamp.

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Connections

Features The Price Is Right (1972)

User Reviews

Gore Vidal could have said something about this

The 1992 winner of Best Animated Short features noted paintings morphing into each other. However, there was one scene in "Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase" that caught my attention in particular. At one point the sound of a commercial appears in the background. Author and political satirist Gore Vidal said of the so called War on Terrorism: "'War on terrorism' isn't a goal. It's a slogan designed for advertising, which is the only art form that the US ever created." Here we see art and advertising juxtaposed.

Anyway, this is an interesting cartoon. I don't know of anything else that Joan C. Gratz did, but if she did I would like to see it. Worth seeing.

Details

Official Sites:

Will Vinton Studios

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

October 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mona Lisa desciende una escalera

Company Credits

Production Co:

Joan C. Gratz Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

7 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color