The World of Studio Ghibli at the ArtScience Museum, Singapore
Words: Matt Brown
Photos: Han Sen Hau
Renowned the world over for their storytelling and breathtaking animation, Studio Ghibli animation studios have captivated the world with their ability to transport audiences and their emotions for over thirty years. Despite the studio’s acclaim, I confess – I’ve only seen two of their iconic films! This didn’t stop me from getting very excited about attending The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition, now on at Singapore’s ArtScience Museum.
The exhibition marks Studio Ghibli’s first-ever showcase in Singapore, and it presents just the right amount of fan-pleasing details and background insights for those of us who are new to its brilliance.
Spanning 2,400 square metres across 11 galleries, the exhibition is one of the studio’s largest to date. Visitors will step into the enchanting worlds of 11 beloved films, including My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle.
Boasting 16 large-scale, interactive theatrical sets that bring to life iconic moments from each featured film, even if you’re uninitiated like me, you’ll feel transported into a pretty magical wonderland of characters and scenes that demand further exploration. The experience begins outside the museum, with a giant sculpture of Ponyo on the Cliff welcoming visitors to the exhibit.
Being such a huge exhibit means that the museum is taken up on a couple of levels by the world of Studio Ghibli. Start in the basement, so that you can discover the history of the founders and their first feature films. There are also some interactive elements that pop up throughout the exhibit, including a chance to draw some Spirited Away soot sprites, pose in the rain with Totoro at his bus stop (umbrella provided), or snuggle up by Calcifer’s fire from Howl’s Moving Castle.
We were lucky when we attended early on a Friday evening, as the spaces didn’t feel too crowded. I can imagine they have some very long lines when fans aren’t out at dinner or Christmas shopping, so plan your time to visit strategically, as you’ll want to ensure that you can take advantage of all of the photo ops without having to wait too long.
The atmosphere is a mix of superfans squealing at the scenes unfolding in front of them (our endlessly enthusiastic photographer, Han Sen, leading the charge there) to those of us who can appreciate the artistry and imaginative storytelling, whilst also making mental notes to watch all the films that are unfamiliar. There’s also a pretty impressive gift shop on Level 3 that caters to everyone who wants more of a souvenir to go with all of their cute pictures.
Also Showing – Altered States
Running alongside The World of Studio Ghibli this month is Altered States: Experiments in Moving Image, a one-month-long exhibition at the ArtScience Museum that challenges traditional filmmaking. This groundbreaking showcase highlights innovative works by local and international artists who explore experimental techniques and large-scale installations.
The exhibition delves into unconventional methods like cameraless photography, ecological processes, and the use of everyday materials to redefine analogue film. Among its standout features is Liquid Solid by Nicky Assmann and Joris Strijbos, where freezing soap creates captivating fractal patterns in a stunning visual display. Another highlight is Fallen Candles – Triplet by Youki Hirakawa, a reflective piece on time and renewal, inspired by the haunting legacy of the Fukushima disaster.
Other intriguing works include Revenants: Optographic Animation by Sapphire Goss, which uses 80-year-old film stock to craft surreal landscapes, and Toh Hun Ping’s Dance of a Humble Atheist, a thought-provoking stop-motion animation that combines hand-sculpted ceramics to explore themes of life and death.
Whether you’re captivated by the magic of Studio Ghibli or intrigued by the avant-garde artistry of experimental filmmaking, the ArtScience Museum offers a dynamic blend of exhibitions this month that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
The World of Studio Ghibli
ArtScience Museum, Level 3 and Basement 2
Running until February 2nd, 2025
Sunday – Thursday: 10 am – 7 pm
Friday – Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm
Admission: S$29 – S$49 depending on times/concessions
Altered States: Experiments in Moving Image
ArtScience Museum, Basement
Running until February 2nd, 2025
Sunday – Thursday: 10 am – 7 pm
Friday – Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm
Admission: S$5
Nearest MRT Station: Bayfront (CE1|DT16)
www.marinabaysands.com/museum.html
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