When we last spoke to talented Korean animation director Erick Oh, he was promoting his ambitious and stunning Oscar-nominated short Opera back in 2021. This spring, a collection of his acclaimed, multimedia artwork is exhibited on Jeju Island in S. Korea. Titled O: An Erick Oh Retrospective, the collection is held at the House of Refuge, a multicultural space located in Aewol-eup on Jeju Island. This exhibit will showcase media artworks from Oh’s acclaimed animation work, including Opera and Origin. The talented artist and Pixar veteran, whose other award-winning work includes Pig: The Dam Keeper Poems, Namoo and Oni: A Thunder God’s Tale, answered a few of our questions in conjunction with this new exhibit:
Animag: When did the idea for the exhibit come about?
Erick Oh: Opera, the Oscar-nominated animated short in 2021, was already made to become an installation animation piece from its origin. However, unfortunately, Covid hit the world and impacted my original exhibition plan for Opera. As time passed and things got better, I was able to spend more time coming up with a more thoughtful plan to properly showcase Opera, together with a few other new supporting pieces for a much more immersive exhibition experience. Thanks to Opera’s production team BANA in Korea, I was able to get more funding and the team to realize the dream to have this animation exhibition with a large scale in a huge space, located in Jeju Island, Korea.
Which shorts are featured in this collection?
Erick: There are eight animated shorts altogether: Opera (2021), Origin (2023) and the other six are completely new. All living in the Opera universe, the same character, world and esthetics, together, they showcase the reflection of humanity, nature and the universe from both micro and macro lens. All eight pieces are perfectly synchronized in five minutes of day-night cycle, so you can almost consider all the eight pieces as one singular art work.
What are you most pleased about in this permanent exhibit?
Erick: While viewing eight animated projects which are all delicately crafted, together with beautifully composed music and sound design, you’ll feel like you are transported to its own time and dimension. It’ll take you on a spiritual journey guiding you to think about life and your inner-self deep inside. I believe that we created a whole new artistic experience that has never been done anywhere else. I highly recommend people outside Korea to plan a visit to Jeju Island to check out the show, since the exhibition will be there permanently for a long period of time.
Will you be taking the show around the world?
Erick: That is our hope and goal. With that mind, Korea, my home country, is the perfect country for this exhibition to start, since this exhibition is deeply personal. Hope this show finds the right producers and investors abroad who could help me take this around the world.
What are you working on next?
Erick: I enjoy crossing over different mediums and industries. That said, I’m currently working on a webtoon, as well as writing a story for my animated feature project. They are all in the very early stage, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for them. But for now, I can’t wait for more people to come experience the exhibition I’ve worked on for the past two years!
What are the most important tips you can give young animators who want to experiment in new technologies and formats?
Erick: Try focusing on the original definition of ‘animation’. It’s not just Disney or Japanese anime. Animation means “giving life to inanimate things.” With that understanding, please don’t limit or categorize yourself into a certain box and frame. Animation can be a cinema, fine art or anything you want it to be. Find your voice and vision, then the technique will come for you organically and naturally.
What is your take on the state of the animation industry in 2024?
Erick: It is unstable for sure right now. Things are changing and shifting, and the whole industry is still figuring out what the next step will be for us. This could look scary but I’d love to consider this atmosphere as an opportunity, rather than a crisis. Looking back at history, innovation and evolution happens when everybody is working hard and searching for an answer. Let us stay open-minded and pay attention to the details of the world. Then we’ll finally know what the next era of animation will be.
For more info, visit erickoh.com.
