Adventures in Moominland | Southbank Centre

posted by Amber Weaver November 3, 2016

On the 16th of December 2016, the UK’s largest arts centre, Southbank Centre in London, will host an immersive, interactive exhibition which explores the internationally-recognised stories of the Moomin Family through the life of its author Tove Jansson. Exploring the internationally renowned and beloved stories of the Moomins, this retrospective exhibition will be hosted in Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. The display presents new insights into Tove Jansson’s life and the influences behind her work with rare archive objects and illustrations built into the experience. Several of the Moomin stories, such as Comet in Moominland (1946) and Moomin Midwinter(1957) were written in a time of political and socio-economic change in Finland and were heavily influenced by Tove’s own personal relationships. With many defining the development of the narratives and characters. Hardship and war characterised the context, and the tolerant world of Moominvalley offered a refuge from the harshness of reality. Tove explored her art and own sexuality within the confines of this changing political landscape, as well being manifested with her friends, enemies, fears and hopes to define the complex and emotional stories. Bringing together Tove’s creations and immersive worlds this highly experimental exhibition brings the experience closer to the audience, offering visitors something different from a traditional museum exhibition. Visitors will be guided through the exhibition by an audio narrative, discovering seven interactive worlds that explore the inspirations behind Tove’s much-loved stories. These worlds explore the influence of the Nordic landscape within the Moomin books, from the thick forests of Moominvalley to a canvas tent on the water’s edge in Finland, a recreation of Tove’s art studio and her island of Klovharu.