BU Research Blog

a new online exhibition at Poole Museum, celebrating 30 years of the NCCA

To celebrate 30 years of its existence, the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA) at Bournemouth University will be exhibiting historic artefacts, innovative research projects as well as a selection of some of the most memorable animations of our shared history. The exhibition ‘Once Upon A Time in Animation’ will be held at Poole Museum in Spring next year. As a first spotlight on what is to come in spring 2021, we are now launching a virtual exhibition at Poole Museum.

Since its inception in 1989 by Peter Comninos and Peter Hardy, the NCCA has remained at the forefront of animation techniques, visual effects, compositing and post-production. Combining artistic creativity with scientific rigour, the centre is internationally renowned for excellence in research and world-class education. To celebrate its 30 year long history, the NCCA will be exhibiting artefacts and animations, storyboards, concept art and rare nuggets of its 30 year history, in a landmark exhibition in one of the largest museums in the region.

Poole Museum is one of the leading museums in the South West of England, showcasing a range of historic artefacts in their permanent collection as well as a changing array of diverse historic and contemporary art projects. Poole Museum is located in three adjacent buildings, housed at a historic Victorian warehouse, the Oakley’s Mill located at the heart of Poole. It’s iconic facade was designed by Horden Cherry Lee. Inside, the building connects to the historic Town cellars built around 1300.

The exhibition ‘Once Upon A Time in Animation’ scheduled for spring 2021 at Poole Museum will highlight the special role of animation, gaming and visual effects held in the Southwest of England. The whole region has made a name for its expertise, in large part thanks to Bournemouth University’s unique role as a pioneer in education and research for the Creative Industries.

This online exhibition provides insights into animation techniques through recent students’ work such as Meijia Wu’s Character Design, Bianca Cirdei’s ‘Withering Fruits’ project and important artistic contributions such as the Lumen Art Prize winning ‘AfterGlow’ by boredomresearch or Valery Adzhiev, Alexander Pasko and Quentin Corker-Marin’s 4D Cubism. Together with a selection of pioneering student work, the virtual exhibition provides a first overview of 30 years of excellence in animation research, practice and innovation at the National Centre for Computer Animation.