TOVE JANSSON
MUMIN
AND HIS FRIENDS
AND HIS FRIENDS
4 • 31 MARCH
AT FESTIVAL
Born in 1945 from Tove Jansson’s pen, Mumin have immediately conquered Finnish imaginative world, insomuch that their popularity in North Europe is comparable to Barbapapà’s success in other European countries. During the years Mumin, Dad Mumin, Mum Mumin and all their friends became protagonists of comics, books, cartoons, animated films and of an amusement park in Naantali, Finland. Drawn with simple and clean lines, Mumin are a family of rounded-shaped trolls with long noses that make them look like big white hippopotamus. If their shape is essential, their habitat on the contrary is rich of details and stylistic inventions.
Mumin live in the Muminvalley, set in the Finnish forest. Their house is open to everyone and each task they carry out becomes a game. The dishes are washed in the sea following the pots among the waves, and they clean the floor dancing with mops tied up to their feet. Curious and naives Mumin follow the flow ending up in many surreal and fanciful adventures. As they were initially published by newspapers, their pleasant and spontaneous stories are organized in strips and - instead of being framed with normal lines - their cartoons are often linked through doors, clothes, curtains, trees, flowers, strings, pitchforks or razor wire, images that create visual coherence, melting with the story and becoming eclectic elements to discover and decode.
Beside visiting the exhibition, children and kids of different ages will have the chance to join various educational activities.
Mumin live in the Muminvalley, set in the Finnish forest. Their house is open to everyone and each task they carry out becomes a game. The dishes are washed in the sea following the pots among the waves, and they clean the floor dancing with mops tied up to their feet. Curious and naives Mumin follow the flow ending up in many surreal and fanciful adventures. As they were initially published by newspapers, their pleasant and spontaneous stories are organized in strips and - instead of being framed with normal lines - their cartoons are often linked through doors, clothes, curtains, trees, flowers, strings, pitchforks or razor wire, images that create visual coherence, melting with the story and becoming eclectic elements to discover and decode.
Beside visiting the exhibition, children and kids of different ages will have the chance to join various educational activities.
BIOGRAPHY
Tove Jansson was born in Helsinki in August 1914 in a family of artists. His father is a sculptor, his mother an illustrator, and they both support their son’s natural talent, building up a stimulating and creative environment. Tove completed his studies at Helsinki Art School, but he also studied in Paris, at Adrien Holy School and at Accademia di Belle Arti.
His first drawings appeared on “Garm” magazine when he was just fifteen. His first book The little trolls and the great flood was published in 1945, and it immediately received a very positive feedback.
His books were translated in 38 countries and obtained various recognitions, such as Nils Holgersson award in 1953 and prestigious Hans Christian Andersen award in 1966. His comics appeared for the first time in Italy in the 70s on Linus magazine, and were republished this year by Black Velvet.
His first drawings appeared on “Garm” magazine when he was just fifteen. His first book The little trolls and the great flood was published in 1945, and it immediately received a very positive feedback.
His books were translated in 38 countries and obtained various recognitions, such as Nils Holgersson award in 1953 and prestigious Hans Christian Andersen award in 1966. His comics appeared for the first time in Italy in the 70s on Linus magazine, and were republished this year by Black Velvet.