The Art History of Studio Ghibli with Helen McCarthy

There can’t be many people with Internet access who haven’t heard the name of Studio Ghibli. It’s one of the most famous film studios on the planet, producing classics like Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke. Both Princess Mononoke and the studio’s perennial favourite My Neighbour Totoro have been transformed into stage shows. Concerts of their magical film scores draw huge crowds. But there’s a lot more to Studio Ghibli than just movies. Its art is driven by inspiration from Japanese and Western art, by energies from the streets of Japan and by the mystical qualities of its traditions and its wild places.

Helen McCarthy, who wrote the first books in English on anime and on Ghibli’s co- founding director Hayao Miyazaki, will take you on a journey through the studio’s history and inspiration, with time and space to appreciate selected artworks and a list of sources – books, websites and places to visit - if you want to explore further.

Doors open at 6:30pm, last entry at 7pm, talk starts at 7.30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!

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Helen McCarthy is a writer, presenter and independent scholar who was introduced to anime in 1981 and has been studying it ever since. She has spoken at universities, cultural institutions and of course anime conventions across America, Asia and Europe, from the British Museum and the Smithsonian Institution to Akita International University and the Japan Foundation in London and Kuala Lumpur. Her works include The Anime Encyclopedia, widely recognised as a seminal text for the study of anime; Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation; The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga; and Leiji Matsumoto: Essays on the Manga and Anime Legend.

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This talk is 16+. All under 18s must be accompanied by an adult, and all under 25s may require government issued photo ID to gain entry.

For accessibility requirements, please contact the venue with any accessibility requirements before booking. Spaces may be limited and will be sold on a first come first served basis.You can call: 0121 693 2248 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm & Sat/Sun 12-6pm) or email [email protected] with your access requirements and the show you wish to see in order to make a booking. Disabled Access is available by lift.

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