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The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series:
Studio Ghibli Layout Designs: Understanding the Secrets of Takahata and Miyazaki Animation

Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Thematic Galleries 3,4, 5 and Orientation Theatre
14 May 2014 - 31 August 2014

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Organised by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum with cooperation of Studio Ghibli and Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Solely Sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust


Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by renowned animation directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki. The Ghibli's animation films have been well received by worldwide audience, have won awards in various international film festivals and become a beloved part of popular culture.

As opposed to the widely used digital technology in arts nowadays, Takahata and Miyazaki insisted on producing their animation films basically by the traditional method of hand-drawn animation. This exhibition comprises over 1,300 items of layout design selected from works by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki throughout their careers. A layout, being regarded as the blueprint of an animation film, is used to illustrate the director's ideas on the outlook of the scenes, including the arrangement of colors, positions, motions, etc. for subsequent production to ensure the continuity, In this exhibition, the whole history of Studio Ghibli layout production will be on display, ranging from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind to the latest released The Wind Rises and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya. Exhibits are drawn from the company's popular major works including Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Grave of the Fireflies, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. Layouts from the early works and TV series produced before the founding of the company such as Heidi a girl of the Alps and Conan, The Boy in Future are also featured for a comprehensive view of their achievement.

Through these layout designs visitors can come to a better understanding of the production process of animation films. In addition, the layouts can also be appreciated individually as works of fine art. It is also an opportunity to rethink the classical notion of animation-making, as well as the pursuit of excellence and variety in the language of aesthetics in Japanese culture.

To coincide with this exhibition, a series of special programmes will be organised in this quarter.

  • For details of education programmes, please click here.
  • For details of guided tours for general public, please click here.
  • For details of audio guide service, please click here.

Admission Fee

Admission (per person) Standard
(adults)
Group
(groups of 20
persons or
more)
Concessionary #
"Studio Ghibli Layout Designs: Understanding the Secrets
of Takahata and Miyazaki Animation" Special Exhibition

(14.5.2014 - 31.8.2014)
Thursdays to
Mondays:
$20
Wednesdays:
$10
Thursdays to
Mondays:
$14
Wednesdays:
$7
Thursdays to
Mondays:
$10
Wednesdays:
$5
"Studio Ghibli Layout Designs: Understanding the Secrets
of Takahata and Miyazaki Animation" & "The
Extraordinary in the Ordinary: Chairs for Viewing the
World through Time" Combined Ticket ^

(7.6.2014 - 31.8.2014)
Thursdays to
Mondays:
$30
Thursdays to
Mondays:
$21
Thursdays to
Mondays:
$15
  1. # Full-time students, people with disabilities (and one accompanying minder), and senior citizens aged 60 or above can buy concessionary ticket after showing valid identity document.
  2. * Admission tickets for this exhibition also entitle holders to visit other General Exhibitions at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.
  3. * Free admission for Museum Pass and Monthly Pass holders and children under 4 years old.
  4. * Local Registered Schools, Non-profit-making Organizations and Charitable Organizations are eligible to join our free group visit programme for this exhibition. Click here to download the application form.
  5. ^ Visitors who would like to visit both Special Exhibitions can purchase both tickets at the box office.

Opening Hours

From 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays, and from 10 am to 7 pm on weekends and public holidays. It is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays).

Visiting Rules

  • To protect intellectual rights, photography or video shooting is prohibited inside the exhibition area. Any person who conducts unauthorized photography or video shooting will be asked to leave the area.
  • Please do not write on, mark, soil or damage any exhibit, installation, wall or facility in the exhibition area.
  • Large bags are not allowed inside the exhibition venue.
  • Please do not make excessive noise, run, play, eat or drink inside the exhibition area. Please also refrain from using mobile phones inside the exhibition area.

Inclement Weather Arrangements

  1. Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above: The museum will close. If the signal is lowered less than 2 hours before the normal closing time, the museum will remain closed that day.
  2. Black Rainstorm Warning: If the warning is issued during normal opening hours, the museum will remain open. If the warning is issued before the museum opens, the museum will be closed until the warning is cancelled. If the warning is cancelled less than 2 hours before normal closing hours, the museum will remain closed that day.

Public guided tour arrangements:

When typhoon signal no. 8 or above is hoisted, all public guided tours will be cancelled. If the signal is lowered 3 hours or more before the tours commence, the tours will be conducted as scheduled. When the black rainstorm warning is issued during normal opening hours, all guided tours in progress will continue. For those which have not started will be cancelled. If the black rainstorm warning is lowered 3 hours or more before the tours commence, the tours will be conducted as scheduled.

For enquiries, please call 2180 8188 during office hours or email to hkhm@lcsd.gov.hk

Exhibit Highlights