Animation, it turns out, has been around for about 150 years, starting in the flip-book era, then moving on to animated shorts like Windsor McCay's 1911 film based on his cartoon character, Little Nemo: Watch Me Move, in which two minutes are animated, then on to Eadward Muybridge, Walt Disney, Aardman, Japanese anime and manga, Pixar and The Simpsons.
Aardman is included because animation doesn't necessarily mean drawn, it also encompasses stop motion, cut outs, collage, clay and other models, photography and puppetry, and all of these modes of bringing stories to life are celebrated here.
As well as the main exhibition, the Barbican is showing classic animated films in its cinemas, including several sessions of famous and early shorts, as well as anime features like Akira, Porco Rosso and Spirited Away.
There are also gallery talks and master classes and there are family events running every Saturday from 10am - 'cause kids love cartoons too!
When:Open daily 11am-8pm (except Wed until 6pm and Sat 10am-8pm) Thu until 10pm
Where:Barbican Centre, Silk St, City of London, EC2Y 8DS, nearest station Barbican
Cost:Standard £10 online/£12 on the door Concessions £7 online/£8 on the door Secondary school (groups of ten or more) £6 12-17s yrs £6 online/£7 on the door Under 12s free
