Yubaba from Spirited Away (2001).
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The spellbinding World of Studio Ghibli comes to life at ArtScience Museum
The exhibition marks the Studio’s first official showcase in Singapore
The exhibition marks the Studio’s first official showcase in Singapore
SINGAPORE (7 October 2024) – For nearly four decades, Studio Ghibli has captivated the hearts and imaginations of audiences worldwide with its rich narratives, visual splendour and relatable characters. Opened on 4 October, the exhibition invites fans across Singapore and the region to experience the Studio’s timeless treasure at ArtScience Museum and join iconic characters on an unforgettable adventure through the fantastical realms of films such as My Neighbour Totoro (1988), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), and Spirited Away (2001).
The World of Studio Ghibli is organised by ArtScience Museum under the license of award-winning animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli. It is the first official Studio Ghibli exhibition in Singapore, and one of the largest exhibitions to be shown at ArtScience Museum, transforming 11 galleries spanning two levels. At the heart of the exhibition are 16 large-scale, immersive theatrical sets meticulously crafted on-site by a team of Japanese artists. The theatrical sets depict iconic scenes from 11 Studio Ghibli films, giving visitors a truly enchanting experience. Handpicked by Studio Ghibli, each piece reflects the same attention to craftsmanship and narrative depth that permeates the Studio’s films.
“The World of Studio Ghibli at ArtScience Museum is a homage to one of the greatest animation studios of our time. This exhibition is a cultural milestone for Singapore, offering our visitors a deeply engaging experience and an exclusive view of artworks never-before-seen in Singapore. What makes this exhibition particularly remarkable is the presence of original artworks and installations crafted on-site by a specialised team of builders from Japan who were selected by Studio Ghibli. The sculptures and theatrical sets in the show authentically showcase the Ghibli universe, bringing to life the rich, textured worlds of the Studio’s films.”
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“With many of its films also featuring humanist and ecological themes which align with ArtScience Museum’s own vision to explore the intersection of art, science, and technology while fostering a deeper understanding of nature and our place within it, we felt that this exhibition would resonate powerfully with our visitors. As such, we have been striving to bring a Studio Ghibli exhibition to our shores for many years,” said Honor Harger, Vice President of ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands.
“We hope that this landmark exhibition sparks joy, curiosity, and inspires people from all walks of life whether they are longtime fans of Studio Ghibli or experiencing these films for the first time,” she added.
“We are very happy that the first Studio Ghibli exhibition in Singapore will be held at ArtScience Museum – a place that attracts people from all over the world. Since the Studio began operations in 1985, we aimed to create works that were meaningful to produce, enjoyable as entertainment, and appealing to all generations. The large-scale installations in this exhibition have been created with a focus on size and realism, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the world of our films. For those who have seen our films, this exhibition offers a chance to relive those experiences in a different way. And for those who have yet to see them, the carefully crafted sets can serve as a gateway to our films, showcasing the unique characteristics of our works. With many photo spots, I believe this exhibition will be enjoyed by people from all walks of life, just like our films,” said Shinsuke Nonaka, Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at Studio Ghibli.
Founded in Japan in 1985 by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, alongside producer Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli has created 25 visually sumptuous feature films that combine masterful hand-drawn visuals, intricate world-building, rich characters, and universal themes. Studio Ghibli is renowned for its enchanting films which range from magical adventures to charming tales based on everyday life. It has also left an indelible mark on the animation industry, with its films garnering critical acclaim within and beyond Japan, inspiring generations of animators and storytellers. Seven films have received Academy Award nominations, with Spirited Away (2001) and most recently, The Boy and the Heron (2023), having won Best Animated Feature Film. The World of Studio Ghibli features both films.
Additionally, Studio Ghibli has paved the way with its groundbreaking portrayal of strong, independent, and complex female protagonists. From San in Princess Mononoke (1997), who grapples with the conflict between human progress and environmental preservation, to Chihiro in Spirited Away (2001), whose journey is one of self-discovery, the Studio’s heroines are nuanced and relatable. Meanwhile, characters like Kiki in Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Sophie in Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), and Nausicaä in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) face their fears, confront adversities, and emerge empowered. With these films having inspired generations of women and girls, the exhibition complements ArtScience Museum’s ‘Year of Extraordinary Women’, which has celebrated the stories of those who have challenged narratives, defied expectations, and transcended conventions.
Highlights from The World of Studio Ghibli
Upon arrival at ArtScience Museum, visitors will be greeted by a giant sculpture from Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008) placed dramatically within the museum’s lily pond. The journey continues at the Basement 2 galleries with striking immersive installations depicting scenes from Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), Castle in the Sky (1986) and My Neighbour Totoro (1988). Meanwhile, the Level 3 galleries feature more original sculptures and theatrical sets from beloved films including Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), Porco Rosso (1992), Pom Poko (1994), Princess Mononoke (1997), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Spirited Away (2001), and The Boy and the Heron (2023).
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The exhibition offers numerous opportunities for fans to step into their favourite scenes and be transported directly into Studio Ghibli’s dazzling adventures and captivating worlds. Visitors are invited to wander through the lush forest of Princess Mononoke, explore Howl’s castle, venture down a grassy tunnel to Totoro’s cave, become a customer of Gütiokipänjä bakery where Kiki and her cat Jiji work, hop on a train with No Face and wait in the rain with Totoro.
Various art installations also drop visitors right into the middle of memorable and exciting sequences – from fleeing with Pazu and Sheeta along the railway tracks during a thrilling chase scene in Castle in the Sky (1986), to becoming part of the airship scene from Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), where visitors can take on the role of Tombo hanging from the airship or Kiki rescuing him on her flying broomstick.
In addition to the theatrical sets, The World of Studio Ghibli includes 16 box art installations created by the Studio. These original works of art, produced specially for the exhibition, offer small portals into various frames from the movies, allowing visitors to take a closer look at intricate details from the films.
First presented in Japan in 2013 before travelling to South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Bangkok, this iteration of The World of Studio Ghibli at ArtScience Museum has been redeveloped and includes many new and never-seen-before additions. It features movie frames transformed into large-scale graphics, and objects from the films brought to life as props for the first time. Visitors can dive deeper into the Studio’s renowned world-building and discover elements they might have missed onscreen, as well as keeping a look out for easter eggs such as local delicacies placed amongst No Face’s spread of food.
Bring the treasure of Studio Ghibli home with special keepsakes
Both fans and newcomers can forge meaningful memories and bring home souvenirs from The World of Studio Ghibli. Unique to this iteration of the show are three special in-gallery activity spaces conceived by ArtScience Museum’s Education team that embody the moments of reflection depicted in Ghibli’s films. Visitors are invited to slow down, pause and engage in activities ranging from drawing soot sprites featured in Spirited Away (2001), writing heartwarming notes of gratitude inspired by Totoro, and making their own animation device called a thaumatrope with characters from My Neighbour Totoro (1988).
The World of Studio Ghibli also ends with a retail store on Level 3 that will offer a wide variety of official merchandise.
Complementary programmes for The World of Studio Ghibli
The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of programmes that provide deeper insights into Studio Ghibli’s storytelling and animation techniques. On 5 October, an opening symposium featuring Atsushi Okui (Director of Digital Imaging) and Shinsuke Nonaka (Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs) from Studio Ghibli presented a lively discussion on the Studio’s production processes including composite and effect works as well as rare first-hand stories of their experiences working behind-the-scenes of these films.
ArtScience Cinema will also be offering free screenings of two documentaries on Level 4 of the Museum: Kazuo Oga – Ghibli’s Image Artisan – The Artist Who Made Totoro’s Forest (2007) and The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013), directed by Mami Sunada which will provide a rare glimpse into the inner workings of one of the most celebrated animation houses of all time.
Visitors are encouraged to stay tuned for more updates as they can expect more exciting programmes and activations during the exhibition run, including a film festival featuring several Studio Ghibli films that will be screened in theatres islandwide.
The World of Studio Ghibli will run from now to 2 February 2025.
For more details on The World of Studio Ghibli and its programmes, please visit https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/exhibitions/studio-ghibli.html, and follow ArtScience Museum’s official Instagram page @artsciencemuseumsg and hashtags #ArtScienceMuseum #StudioGhibli #GhibliASM.
Filed in: singapore / Studio Ghibli
