Step Into The World Of Studio Ghibli At ArtScience Museum

Visitors will soon be whisked away to the fantastical realms created by Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli, with the highly anticipated The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition set to open at ArtScience Museum on 4 October.

World of Studio Ghibli at ArtScience Museum

Organised in collaboration with Studio Ghibli, this exhibition marks the Studio’s first showcase in Singapore, which explores the groundbreaking animation, storytelling, and beloved characters that have captivated audiences worldwide for nearly four decades.

Founded in 1985 by directors Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki, and producer Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli is renowned for its enchanting films which range from magical adventures to charming tales based on everyday life. The Studio has also left an indelible mark on the animation industry – its films garnering critical acclaim within and beyond Japan, as well as inspiring generations of animators and storytellers with masterful hand-drawn visuals, intricate world-building, rich characters, and universal themes. Seven films have since received Academy Award nominations, with Spirited Away (2001) and most recently, The Boy and the Heron (2023), having won Best Animated Feature. In 2024, Studio Ghibli also made film history by becoming the first group to be awarded an Honorary Palme d’Or at the legendary Cannes Film Festival – an accolade that recognises their outstanding work over the last 40 years.

In one of its biggest transformations to date, ArtScience Museum will bring The World of Studio Ghibli to life across 11 galleries spanning 2,400m², taking visitors on an unforgettable journey through 11 well-loved films such as My Neighbour Totoro (1988), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001) and Howl’s Moving Castle (2004).

ArtScience Museum My Neighbour Totoro Installation
ArtScience Museum Spirited Away Installation featuring No-Face Visitors will be immersed in the vibrant worlds of beloved Studio Ghibli films and come face-to-face with their favourite characters

Main highlights include 16 large-scale theatrical sets that will transport visitors into iconic scenes of the movies – from waiting in the rain with Totoro and entering Howl’s Moving Castle to hopping on a train with No-Face.

A variety of interactive box art pieces and trick-eye installations will allow visitors to take a closer look at the intricate details present in each frame of a Studio Ghibli film – from the laboratory of Kokiri the witch from Kiki’s Delivery Service, to a close up of the letter Satsuki wrote to her mother about meeting Totoro

In addition, the exhibition features 16 whimsical art installations that will offer a more intimate exploration and glimpse into Studio Ghibli’s creative processes. Visitors can also look forward to making a stop at the retail shop at the end of the exhibition, where official Studio Ghibli merchandise and souvenirs that have been designed exclusively for this presentation at ArtScience Museum will be on sale.

Launching as part of ArtScience Museum’s ‘Year of Extraordinary Women’, The World of Studio Ghibli also seeks to spotlight the diverse female protagonists featured across its films. While audiences resonate deeply with the range of themes that Studio Ghibli explores from nature and environmentalism, coming-of-age and self-discovery, to technology and war, also central to many of its films are their female protagonists. They go against stereotypes, often depicted as strong and independent, and possess values such as compassion, love, tolerance, and respect.

“This year ArtScience Museum presents one of our largest and most ambitious exhibitions to date – The World of Studio Ghibli. It showcases the work of one of the most important cinematic production houses in the world, who have created some of the most beloved and critically acclaimed animated films of all time. We are incredibly honoured to host the first major exhibition by Studio Ghibli in Singapore,” said Honor Harger, Vice President of ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands.

“Hayao Miyazaki once said that it’s in everyday ordinary scenery that we find the extraordinary. These moments can be found in abundance throughout Studio Ghibli’s films. As well as depicting dazzling adventures and otherworldly creatures, the films of Studio Ghibli also remain tethered to the quiet joys and magic hidden in everyday life. Instead of hurtling towards the next plot point or destination, the films include quiet scenes where characters are left to be, reflect, and dwell in the present moment. In this exhibition, we invite visitors to become part of the Ghibli universe, meeting their favourite characters in person and delighting in the studio’s visually sumptuous film worlds. This is a true blockbuster that we have been trying to bring to Singapore for many years, and we are thrilled to be working directly with Studio Ghibli on making it happen. While we are still a few months away from the opening, tickets are going on sale now, and we urge our visitors to book now before we sell out,” she added.

Studio Ghibli shared: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to hold The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition at Singapore’s prestigious ArtScience Museum – a venue which is highly esteemed by Japanese visitors and many others. This exhibition will transport visitors into the realm of Studio Ghibli, where they will get to experience the films first-hand. Whether you are a Ghibli enthusiast or a newcomer, the exhibition offers something for everyone. As a leading destination for tourism and business, Singapore welcomes people from all around the world, and we hope they will also visit the exhibition to encounter the world of Ghibli and become fans of our films.”

The World of Studio Ghibli was first presented in Japan in 2013 followed by South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and most recently, Bangkok. The exhibition has undergone several changes over the years, with this upcoming iteration featuring new additions from Studio Ghibli’s latest film The Boy and the Heron (2023).

Meanwhile, general sales will go live to the public from 3 August, 10am onwards on Klook.

The World of Studio Ghibli will run from 4 October 2024 to 2 February 2025.

For more details on The World of Studio Ghibli, please visit here.

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