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How Manga took over the world

The exhibition looks at the phenomenon of Manga

From its traditional roots through to its impact on today’s cultural trends, Manga is a global phenomenon. An exhibition, which looks at this popular art form is coming to St Barbe Gallery, Lymington.

The exhibition ‘How Manga Took Over the World’ explores the art form through its many manifestations in everyday 21st century life. It is divided into five areas:

Cute
Cuteness is a big part of Japanese popular culture: cute animal mascots are immensely popular and can be spotted everywhere. Products in this vein such as Hello Kitty have also been a hit overseas.

Artistic
Manga has certainly influenced fashion on the streets of Tokyo, but it is now being adopted in designs for major global brands. Pop stars are making animated music videos and all over the world, young people are embracing the Manga aesthetic. Manga’s global reach is seen in the music videos and merchandise of Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne.

Action
The 1990s saw the Japanese animated films AKIRA and Ghost in the Shell become popular among young people in North America, Europe and Asia, but it was also a period during which children and young people began to perceive Japanese pop culture as ‘cool’.

Corporate
Manga is now being used across the world; It is regarded as a medium in its own right that can convey complex content, making it accessible to the masses. In recent years, Manga has been widely used in educational material, self help publications, public information booklets, and there is even a Manga Bible!

Manga Lounge
The final section of the exhibition, the Manga Lounge and workshop space, showcases some of most recent and innovative UK Manga artists’ work. The large scale prints also serve as inspiration for any budding Manga artist and a wealth of Manga and reference books and artists materials are provided to get visitors’ creative juices flowing.

Exhibition runs Saturday 12 June - Saturday 24 July 2010
Gallery open Monday – Saturday, 10.00am – 4.00pm
Admission to gallery and museum: £4, concessions £3, child: £2, family £10.

Saturday 19 June - Workshop: Manga Comic Art for beginners
Learn to draw Manga characters. Aimed at under 11s. Half day sessions, 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm. £3 please book.

Saturday 3 July - Workshop: Manga Comic Art
Learn to draw Manga characters. Aimed at older children and teenagers. Half day sessions, 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm. £3 please book.

For further information on the exhibition contact Steve Marshall, Curator Tel: 01590 676969 or
e-mail: s.marshall@stbarbe-museum.org.uk
website: www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk