If you haven’t seen the Laika exhibit at the Portland Art Museum, you still have through May 20th! The puppets / sets / props on display are incredible. 
It’s also worth being aware you’re walking into a giant, curated, advertisement. Laika’s CFO described the exhibit as “Brand building” and it’s...not super subtle.
When Laika’s brand is being built, it’s synonymous with Travis Knight’s brand being built.
The exhibit quotes and mentions him constantly. It doesn’t exactly share the credit.
although you don’t get a “24% Approve of CEO” rating on Glassdoor by sharing credit. That’s earned.
The exhibit quotes and mentions him constantly. It doesn’t exactly share the credit.
although you don’t get a “24% Approve of CEO” rating on Glassdoor by sharing credit. That’s earned.
If you’re not familiar with the Portland tale of how Nike’s Phil Knight ousted pioneering claymation animator Will Vinton from Will Vinton Studios, replaced him with his son Travis Knight, and renamed it Laika, it’s worth a read: priceonomics.com/how-the-father…
Laika had a wonderful success with Coraline - thanks in part to director and animator Henry Selick (who btw deserves the credit on Nightmare Before Christmas, stop giving it to Burton).
Since then, in my opinion, it’s been fantastic visuals tied to mediocre everything else.
Since then, in my opinion, it’s been fantastic visuals tied to mediocre everything else.
Want to see how insecure Travis / Laika (The Brand) still is about comparisons to their roots?
A theme of their exhibit is that they make the most technologically advanced stopmotion ever. Yeah that’s fair!
They then imply the most advanced stopmotion is the best. NO THANKS
A theme of their exhibit is that they make the most technologically advanced stopmotion ever. Yeah that’s fair!
They then imply the most advanced stopmotion is the best. NO THANKS
Travis Knight can spend all the money in the world on his films and he’ll still lack the heart to make truly great stopmotion.
Stopmotion is magic, emotion. You know it’s an object, yet it moves. It’s the thumbprints in Wallace & Gromit. It’s the melting clay of TAo Mark Twain.
Stopmotion is magic, emotion. You know it’s an object, yet it moves. It’s the thumbprints in Wallace & Gromit. It’s the melting clay of TAo Mark Twain.
It’s how The LEGO Movie was completely CGI and still captured the heart of stopmotion in their movements, because they understood it. They even added strings!!! and it WORKED.
To imply that the most technologically advanced stopmotion is the best is to coldly, intentionally misunderstand the genre, trying to win by rewriting the rules. It’s gross. It’s an insult to the genre and the wonderful artists in it.
This plaque contrasts “stop-motion’s technologically challenged youth” and Selick’s “golf ball on a stick” Skellington with Laika’s “stunning breakthroughs” of 3D printed faces.
Just WOW. You can’t have any appreciation of the art form if you write this patronizing propaganda.
Just WOW. You can’t have any appreciation of the art form if you write this patronizing propaganda.
That plaque basically erases the entire genre. I was so mad I had to send myself on a time-out to a nearby exhibit to calm down. 😤
But don’t worry! They have a timeline of stopmotion!
The earlier years are good, but once Laika exists...not so much.
Only 2 non-Laika films are listed from the last decade; skipped films include Shaun the Sheep + Anomalisa.
I thought this exhibit was future focused 🤔
The earlier years are good, but once Laika exists...not so much.
Only 2 non-Laika films are listed from the last decade; skipped films include Shaun the Sheep + Anomalisa.
I thought this exhibit was future focused 🤔
The lengths this plaque goes to avoid saying Laika was a rebranded Will Vinton Studios is incredible gymnastics 😂
Did you know 3D printing enables SOPHISTICATED COLORS
( unlike those plebeian colors that other films use, disgusting, I bet you painted that by hand )
( unlike those plebeian colors that other films use, disgusting, I bet you painted that by hand )
“It is these incredibly detailed, reasearched, and meticulously handcrafted elements that imbue LAIKA films with an inimitable tactile feel and a material realness that distinguishes their films from all others.”
You...actually paid to say that about your own films in a museum🙄
You...actually paid to say that about your own films in a museum🙄
Sorry, I can’t get over this!!!
What distinguishes Laika films from “all others” and makes them “inimitable” is
- tactile feel
- material realness
😂 this is some A+ word salad
Was the Portland Art Museum allowed to edit the text at all? This is so embarrassing!
What distinguishes Laika films from “all others” and makes them “inimitable” is
- tactile feel
- material realness
😂 this is some A+ word salad
Was the Portland Art Museum allowed to edit the text at all? This is so embarrassing!
The text for this exhibit had a lot of uncomfortably sycophantic PR drivel.
My favorite was when a plaque ran out of meaningless praise and had to use “ingenuity” twice in one sentence.
Laika got what they bought, but I wish they’d had an editor, this is gross.
My favorite was when a plaque ran out of meaningless praise and had to use “ingenuity” twice in one sentence.
Laika got what they bought, but I wish they’d had an editor, this is gross.
Anyway, in conclusion:
🤐 Want to learn more about Laika? There’s some great articles up on Glassdoor that dad’s money can’t fix
😍 The art in the exhibit is fantastic! Shoutout to everyone who crafted it. Go see it!
😷The info plaques are the literal worst
Thanks! 👋
🤐 Want to learn more about Laika? There’s some great articles up on Glassdoor that dad’s money can’t fix
😍 The art in the exhibit is fantastic! Shoutout to everyone who crafted it. Go see it!
😷The info plaques are the literal worst
Thanks! 👋
