Recently, renowned animation artist, curator of the Zagreb Animation Festival, and Secretary-General of ASIFA Croatia, Matija Pisačić, visited the Animation Creation Studio of the 2D Animation Department at Jilin Animation Institute. He conducted a practical teaching exchange themed "Paths and Cultural Connotations of Animation Creation in the Context of Traditional Chinese Culture". On-site, he engaged teachers and students in in-depth discussions on the integrated innovation of digital technology and traditional ink wash animation, exploring the expression paths and cultural value of traditional culture in contemporary animation creation.

Matija Pisačić Experiences Ink Wash Creation

       Inside the creation studio of the 2D Animation Department, traditional Chinese ink wash art converged with contemporary digital technology. Matija Pisačić expressed keen interest in two ink wash-style animated short films, Ink Fun and Mulberry Picking Picture. He carefully examined the creative details of the works and held in-depth exchanges with the production teams. Beyond offering professional critiques of the pieces, he personally tried his hand at ink wash creation, inscribing the words "GREETINGS FROM CROATIA!"

On site interaction

       During the exchange, from the perspective of an international animation festival curator, Matija Pisačić analyzed the cutting-edge trends of global animation art for the faculty and students. He pointed out that in the digital era, the high-quality development of animated short films requires dual support from profound cultural connotations and innovative technological expressions. At the creation site of Ink Fun, he remarked: "Consistency in artistic style must be maintained throughout the creative process; inconsistency in character or scene design may disrupt the coherence of the shots." This targeted guidance provided students with a professional framework for grasping the artistic integrity of their works from an overall perspective. Matija Pisačić fully affirmed the beauty of female labor depicted in Mulberry Picking Picture, and put forward innovative production suggestions. He proposed experimenting with stop-motion animation to present this theme, and discussed the creative approaches and directions of stop-motion animation with teachers and students, expanding the expressive possibilities of the work.

On site visiting

       When visiting the creation space of the animated work The First Step, Matija Pisačić praised the exquisite scene models of the piece, and conducted in-depth discussions with the production team on the traditional Chinese cultural elements embedded in the work. During the conversation, both sides noted that while Chinese and Western cultures differ in traditional folk customs, they share a common emphasis on respect for humanity. This in-depth dialogue based on cultural differences not only enriched the interpretive dimensions of the work, but also deepened young creators' understanding of cultural expression.

Group photo

       Throughout the exchange, Matija Pisačić maintained an open and inclusive attitude of mutual learning. Through concrete cases and creative details, he provided students with professional inspiration for their creations. The collision between this international professional perspective and the creation orientation rooted in local culture prompted a re-examination and emphasis on the value of "content" and "culture" in this rapidly changing era.

       Today, the continuous evolution of digital technology has injected unprecedented innovative vitality into animation creation and opened up broader spaces for expression for young creators. This direct dialogue with an international animation artist not only helped students refine their professional skills and polish creative details, but also effectively fostered their cross-cultural communication and artistic aesthetic abilities. The exchange yielded practical, actionable creative experience and techniques, while also broadening creative horizons and elevating artistic cognition.

       In the future, teachers and students of the institute will carry forward the insights gained from this event, forge ahead unremittingly on the path of animation creation, and explore animation expressions belonging to the younger generation with solid professional foundations and open creative thinking.