Bixby Europa: An experimental narrative animation directed and scored by Jim Ovelmen June 4, 2009

About the project “Bixby Europa”:
BIXBY EUROPA (2009, color, appx. 50 min.) is an experimental-narrative animation that addresses historic events of Eastern and Western aesthetic culture. The piece combines science-fiction, fantasy, psychedelia, cultural analysis and documenta. The story entails a journey to the moon of Jupiter: Europa, where it is believed that simple-cells dwell under the ice - a promise of a new and perhaps fresh start for life. As we leave the Earth, there is new reflection upon our planet from the receding perspective of space, where we can see the Eastern and Western hemispheres at a glance. The political effects of globalism are made visual. The journey delves into the imaginary, as well as tracking the course of real events in art, science, and history.
The earth is seen in its last stages of collapse. There is an agitated hope for escape from our troubled planet, and the naive wish that life is unspoiled on Europa. Many visual motifs combine to create the struggle and longing in this piece.

Will life be different on Europa?

The animation will combine techniques of hand-drawn pen-and-ink imagery melded with 3D computer animation, giving a fusion of production properties.

About Jim Ovelmen:
Jim Ovelmen is a visual artist and musician living in Los Angeles. While often mixing drawing, painting, sculpture and animation, he creates multi-media work. His multi-media work has been exhibited at galleries and museums nationally and internationally, including Torrance Museum of Art, L.A.C.E., Santa Monica Museum of Art, Cirrus Gallery, Hayworth Gallery, and Christine Koenig in Vienna, and Kristi Engle Gallery. He is also Assistant Professor of Art at California State University Los Angeles.

This event is supported in part by Pacific Asia Museum and a grant from California State University Los Angeles.

Official Website: http://www.pacificasiamuseum.org