Taking a Cartoon Break From the Computer Age

Many animation festivals have “computer-generated” stamped all over them--which can be good (smooth, inventive and surprising images) or bad (overly slick, artificial-looking).

The traveling Medicine Wheel Animation Festival, coming to the Huntington Beach Art Center tonight, includes 12 films from the U.S. and Canada. Although all had at least some computer massaging, these shorts are more painterly than other cartoon products of the digital age.

So even though they might disappoint anyone expecting the seamless, loud, cutting-edge effects that mark more famous bills, such as Spike and Mike’s Festival of Animation, many Medicine Wheel works offer subtleties in technique and execution.

The quality of the shorts ranges from the unremarkable to the intriguing and the lovely. There isn’t a blockbuster in this 75-minute bill. But the dark and moody “We Will Live Forever” by Yvonne Andersen’s should leave a vivid impression.

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Andersen’s film is abstract in its depiction of an abstract idea: man’s primitive and mysterious connection to the land. It loosely follows nebulous figures as they move through darkness and the shifting world around them. The chiaroscuro visuals are monochromatic and edgy, sometimes colliding with one another, sometimes melding easily.

Another more-arty-than-techno piece is Elisa A. Bayros’ “Equestrienne.” The plot is negligible, tracing the relationship between a girl and her show horse. But the chalk and pastel imagery, which appears hand-drawn, frequently is striking.

Bob Pece’s “The Legend Unlikely” is a sort of pseudo-documentary about a fictitious cartoonist named R.T. Pece. It’s a surreal little number that chronicles R.T.’s career as he creates strange, knob-like characters (about as far from Mickey Mouse as you can get), enjoys a smidgen of fame and then slips into obscurity. Picture Miro teaming up with Leger to make cartoon creatures, and you get an idea of Bob Pece’s vision.

Other films are not so successful (Jenny Walsh’s “Breaktime” is not much more than a doodle in primary colors, about eating a doughnut while maintaining a sunny disposition). But things happen fast at this fest, and although the better shorts may end too quickly, the not-so-good ones are over in almost no time.

* The Medicine Wheel Animation Festival takes place tonight at the Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main St. 8 p.m. $6 general admission, $5 for students, seniors and members. (714) 374-1650.