The magical roundabout is a term used to describe a group of artists who were active in the 1960s and 1970s in London, England. These artists were known for their unconventional and experimental approach to art, often creating works that challenged traditional ideas of form and style. They were part of a larger movement in the art world at the time, known as the avant-garde, which sought to push the boundaries of what was considered art. The main idea is to highlight the unconventional approach of the magical roundabout artists. The magical roundabout artists were not confined to one particular medium or style. Some were painters, others sculptors, and still others worked in multimedia.
Also the paper cutout eyes which appear on character faces as they become shocked are very nostalgic of favourite 2d cartoons from childhood.
The contrast between the flatness of the central characters and the realism of the minor human characters is a little creepy, as it is totally unexpected in such a small colourful fantasy world that I m not sure if it works. The way the characters are animated is personal to each, for instance Dougal seems to glide along the floor very quickly, doubling back on himself and often running in circles.
Some were painters, others sculptors, and still others worked in multimedia. They were influenced by a wide range of sources, including popular culture, politics, and everyday life. This eclectic mix of influences is reflected in their work, which often combines different materials, techniques, and subject matter.
Stop Motion Cartoons : Part 1
Part of a summer brief this year was to look at specific “movements” of animation. I’m not sure that the very vague term of “old stop motions” fits into the term of a single movement, but oh well.
I started off by watching Gumby, a claymotion made in 1956 by Art Clokey. Most of the main characters are designed with very flat 2 dimensional shapes in mind, which is simplistic and a good idea that I like. It’s almost like paper cutouts that can walk in 3 dimensions
Also the paper cutout eyes which appear on character faces as they become shocked are very nostalgic of favourite 2d cartoons from childhood.
The contrast between the flatness of the central characters and the realism of the minor “human” characters is a little creepy, as it is totally unexpected in such a small colourful fantasy world that I’m not sure if it works. Even with the 3 dimensional, toy based background, the “human” characters I find a little disturbing and don’t feel that they add anything to the aesthetic that another 2d character couldn’t have.
Serge Danot’s Magic Roundabout (1963) is a French Stop motion, partially developed by Ivor Wood and first aired in the UK in 1970. The show was translated by Eric Thompson, who opted to do this without looking at the French scripts and so the series comes across as very literal.
The way the characters are animated is personal to each, for instance Dougal seems to glide along the floor very quickly, doubling back on himself and often running in circles. This suits his childlike personality, and also the usual dog trait of being extremely excitable, bordering on hyperactive.
Florence however usually follows at a more lethargic pace, making her look either very melancholy, or occasionally quite contemplative.
The character design in this show is quite incredible anyway, compared to many British cartoons at the time in which the design was very pragmatic and always seemed to be based around whatever materials the makers had most access to at the moment, the French were more loose, giving the show a distinct feel and then choosing materials which would work with it and look fitting, so that even today it doesn’t look all that dated. The fully paper cut-out background also seemed to create something of a trend, as it was repeated in many shows after such as the Wombles, Postman Pat, Charlie Chalk, and Paddington bear to name a few. It’s also a really efficient way of making a stylized yet beautifully colourful background on a budget.
Everything about this show is just so aesthetically pleasing. The movements are incredibly smooth, but are also really interesting to watch. Zebadee is really quirky to watch, and the majority of his movement is based on moustache twirling.
And the walk cycle of Buxton the blue cat (from Dougal and the Blue Cat) is amazing, I just love how his tail flicks behind him. And when he starts playing the piano in his solo! Oh my goodness!
The Clangers were created in 1969 by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate, (who also created Bagpuss) while the puppets were knitted by Joan Firmin.
The motion is very fluid here and in conjunction with the wide variety of camera shots, helps give the otherwise expressionless clangers a good deal of character and personality.
Body language is also important in showing character and emotion even though the puppets have no posable faces, For instance, the clanger on the left is leaning back, stroking his chin while he holds the treasure, suggesting he is contemplative, bordering on intimidated. Tiny Clanger (middle) in this scene was making a lot of sudden, jerky movements which is seen as quite aggressive by the other clangers, while the clanger on the right clearly wants nothing to do with the situation.
I started off by watching Gumby, a claymotion made in 1956 by Art Clokey. Most of the main characters are designed with very flat 2 dimensional shapes in mind, which is simplistic and a good idea that I like. It’s almost like paper cutouts that can walk in 3 dimensions
The artists of the magical roundabout were also known for their collaborative approach to art making. They often worked together on projects, sharing ideas, materials, and techniques. This collaborative spirit extended beyond their own group and into the larger art community, with many of them participating in group shows and collaborating with artists from different disciplines. The magical roundabout artists were not concerned with creating objects that would be bought and sold in the art market. Rather, they saw art as a form of expression and engagement with the world around them. Their work was often temporary and ephemeral, existing only in the moment of its creation and then disappearing. They were more interested in the process of making art and the experience of viewing it than in creating lasting objects. Today, the work of the magical roundabout artists is still celebrated and studied. Their innovative approach to art continues to inspire and influence artists working today. Their work reminds us that art can be a powerful tool for exploring new ideas, challenging preconceptions, and creating a sense of wonder and magic. The magical roundabout artists were true pioneers in the art world, and their legacy lives on..
Reviews for "The Whimsy of The Magical Roundabout: Highlighting the Artists"
1. John - 1 star
I found "The magical roundabout artists" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was confusing and dull, and the characters lacked depth and charisma. The attempts at humor fell flat, and I found myself checking the time constantly throughout the movie, hoping for it to end. Overall, I cannot recommend this film to anyone looking for an entertaining experience.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"The magical roundabout artists" had potential, but it failed to live up to it. The storyline had its moments, but overall, it was disjointed and lacked coherence. The acting was mediocre at best, with the performances feeling forced and unnatural. I also felt that the film was overly long and could have been condensed to improve the pacing. Disappointingly, this movie fell short of my expectations.
3. Michael - 2.5 stars
I watched "The magical roundabout artists" hoping for a magical experience, but I was left disappointed. The animation was visually appealing, but the plot lacked originality and depth. The film aimed to be whimsical, but it came across as confusing and convoluted. Additionally, the voice acting felt forced, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Overall, this movie missed the mark for me and didn't deliver the enchantment it promised.
4. Emma - 2 stars
"The magical roundabout artists" was a letdown. The storyline was predictable and cliche, offering nothing new or captivating. The pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest as the film dragged on. The characters were forgettable, and their development was superficial. Despite the visually appealing animation, this movie failed to leave a lasting impression on me.
5. David - 1.5 stars
I was unimpressed with "The magical roundabout artists." The plot was predictable and lacked any real depth. The humor fell flat, and I found myself cringing at attempts to be funny. The animation was average at best, failing to capture my attention or evoke any sense of wonder. Overall, this film was forgettable and did not live up to the expectations I had.