Graphic Festival 2012

Overview

Do you remember the days when we had to argue that video games were art, comic books were literature, and animation wasn't just for kids? Those medieval times are now thankfully one or two years behind us, and it's in part thanks to festivals like Graphic. The event, now in its third year, brings pop culture into the lofty Opera House and encourages artists of all stripes to come together and mix media.

After bringing out Neil Gaiman and Robert Crumb in its first two years (well, not quite bringing out Robert Crumb; the pioneering cartoonist famously withdrew from the 2011 festival fearing pitchforks and torches after being called a 'sex pervert' in the Sunday Telegraph), Graphic is now grown up enough to present a solid program that doesn't rely on crazy-big names to stir excitement. In 2012 it's got talks, concerts, workshops, an exhibition, a competition, a quiz show, and many hybrids of these.

This is the year we'll be getting better acquainted with perhaps the most influential force in animation today, Pixar Animation Studios, makers of Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall-E, Brave, and a raft of other hits that make kids squeal and adults unexpectedly laugh, cry, and find catharsis. Lee Unkrich, Academy Award-winning director of Toy Story 3 and long-time Pixar creative, will be leading a presentation on what goes on behind the scenes of the company as an idea goes from storyboard to screen.

Similarly styled talks will also be given by Animal Logic — Australia's own animation superstars, behind such key films as The Matrix and Happy Feet — and Peter Bagge, co-editor of Robert Crumb's WEIRDO and contributor to MAD magazine, whose session is called Hate! and Other Neat Stuff.

Following in the footsteps of Gotye's now legendary animated preview for his Making Mirrors album in 2011, gigs that combine music and visuals feature prominently in the 2012 program. New Zealand's Fat Freddy's Drop will be previewing their new album, Blackbird, which won't be released until 2013. The night will include specially commissioned animations throughout from street artist Otis Frizzell. Meanwhile, 25-members-strong collective Elefant Traks will be creating a set of Dr Suess-inspired songs.

To experience Graphic's idiosyncrasies in full, get along to the Good Game Roffle Cup quiz show, FBi's Radio with Pictures storytelling jam, and the Art of Dr Seuss exhibition in the Opera House foyer. Were you aware that as well as hopping on Pop and putting the Cat in the Hat, Theodor Seuss Geisel made over 400 political cartoons about World War II and Nazis? A better summary of the scope of graphic arts is hard to come by.