Latest news with #Thumbelina
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ditch AI filters, consume real art
If you're an artist or just someone who admires the effort that goes into drawing and animation, you must have strong feelings about the heaps of AI-generated art that's been plaguing social media for a long time now. The recent trend of AI-generated images that has beguiled netizens recreates the visual style of Studio Ghibli's signature 2D animation. And if there are any doubts as to where the studio's founder — Hayao Miyazaki — would stand, here are his views on machine-created art that resurfaced after OpenAI launched its update: "I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself." In case you're not aware of what Studio Ghibli films are, I — first and foremost - express my deepest sympathies that you had to learn through this trend, but I am also happy to inform you that you've come to the right place. If your curiosity is pushing you to find out what life looks like through the Ghibli lens, you need not wait any longer. Here are four of the studio's films to introduce you to the painstakingly hand-drawn and remarkably emotive world of animation — or, if you're a fan, to trick you into a binge watch. 'Howl's Moving Castle' It has become culturally imperative to begin your Ghibli journey with this one. Howl's Moving Castle follows Sophie, a young woman cursed by a jealous witch to transform into an old lady due to the witch's affection for Howl, a vagabond wizard who crosses paths with Sophie in the beginning. As the curse makes our protagonist forget her identity, she accidentally moves in with Howl's motley crew and helps them out with domestic duties, oblivious to the fact that the solution to her problem is nearby. If the found-family trope is an easy way to your heart, this film will win you over no sweat while serving you an extra slice of tender romance. Although a stunningly serene film, it strikes a fine balance between wholesome moments and gut-wrenching reality that'll have you aching for more. 'Kiki's Delivery Service' If you like witchcraft in your media and are looking for more magic after Howl's Moving Castle, you'll find it all in Kiki's Delivery Service. This coming-of-age fantasy story follows Kiki, a young witch who heads out of home to fulfill her desire for self-exploration. Aside from flaunting the picturesque world of Studio Ghibli, this film is your reassurance that hardships are a necessary part of growing up on your own. From introducing animal companions to unexpected friends, it reminds you that every step out of your comfort zone is worth the anticipation. 'The Secret World of Arrietty' If you grew up adoring Thumbelina or illustrated tales of a similar nature, it might be time to indulge your inner child with this heartwarming film. The Secret World of Arrietty follows its titular character in a miniature world as she "borrows" from the world of the much-larger humans for a living. Everything seems to be working in her family's favour until they are discovered by the humans and must fend for themselves. Packing compelling visuals that every Ghibli film is decked with, this feature stands out for its immersive look into the world that exists around us, just much bigger. If you're in the mood of a story that champions hope and courage, you wouldn't want to miss this one. 'Spirited Away' Ever wondered what your most inexplicable dreams would look like onscreen? Spirited Away is your answer. It focuses on Chihiro, a ten-year-old girl who visits an amusement park with her family but soon realises that something is off, though her protests are dismissed by her parents. After a mysterious meal turns them into pigs, it is up to Chihiro to bring them back by stepping into the world of uncanny supernatural beings. Released at a time when animation was seen as a form of entertainment reserved only for children, Spirited Away would sooner be a kid's nightmare than a fond core memory to look back on. But for grownups who don't mind being unnerved, the film's appeal lies in its unsettling elements and melancholic storyline. Does hope prevail in the end? Find out for yourself.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
4 Studio Ghibli films to distract you from OpenAI's viral filter
If you're an artist or just someone who admires the effort that goes into drawing and animation, you must have strong feelings about the heaps of AI-generated art that's been plaguing social media for a long time now. The recent trend of AI-generated images that has beguiled netizens recreates the visual style of Studio Ghibli's signature 2D animation. And if there are any doubts as to where the studio's founder — Hayao Miyazaki — would stand, here are his views on machine-created art that resurfaced after OpenAI launched its update: "I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself." In case you're not aware of what Studio Ghibli films are, I — first and foremost — express my deepest sympathies that you had to learn through this trend, but I am also happy to inform you that you've come to the right place. If your curiosity is pushing you to find out what life looks like through the Ghibli lens, you need not wait any longer. Here are four of the studio's films to introduce you to the painstakingly hand-drawn and remarkably emotive world of animation — or, if you're a fan, to trick you into a binge watch. 'Howl's Moving Castle' It has become culturally imperative to begin your Ghibli journey with this one. Howl's Moving Castle follows Sophie, a young woman cursed by a jealous witch to transform into an old lady due to the witch's affection for Howl, a vagabond wizard who crosses paths with Sophie in the beginning. As the curse makes our protagonist forget her identity, she accidentally moves in with Howl's motley crew and helps them out with domestic duties, oblivious to the fact that the solution to her problem is nearby. If the found-family trope is an easy way to your heart, this film will win you over no sweat while serving you an extra slice of tender romance. Although a stunningly serene film, it strikes a fine balance between wholesome moments and gut-wrenching reality that'll have you aching for more. 'Kiki's Delivery Service' If you like witchcraft in your media and are looking for more magic after Howl's Moving Castle, you'll find it all in Kiki's Delivery Service. This coming-of-age fantasy story follows Kiki, a young witch who heads out of home to fulfill her desire for self-exploration. Aside from flaunting the picturesque world of Studio Ghibli, this film is your reassurance that hardships are a necessary part of growing up on your own. From introducing animal companions to unexpected friends, it reminds you that every step out of your comfort zone is worth the anticipation. 'The Secret World of Arrietty' If you grew up adoring Thumbelina or illustrated tales of a similar nature, it might be time to indulge your inner child with this heartwarming film. The Secret World of Arrietty follows its titular character in a miniature world as she 'borrows' from the world of the much-larger humans for a living. Everything seems to be working in her family's favour until they are discovered by the humans and must fend for themselves. Packing compelling visuals that every Ghibli film is decked with, this feature stands out for its immersive look into the world that exists around us, just much bigger. If you're in the mood of a story that champions hope and courage, you wouldn't want to miss this one. 'Spirited Away' Ever wondered what your most inexplicable dreams would look like onscreen? Spirited Away is your answer. It focuses on Chihiro, a ten-year-old girl who visits an amusement park with her family but soon realises that something is off, though her protests are dismissed by her parents. After a mysterious meal turns them into pigs, it is up to Chihiro to bring them back by stepping into the world of uncanny supernatural beings. Released at a time when animation was seen as a form of entertainment reserved only for children, Spirited Away would sooner be a kid's nightmare than a fond core memory to look back on. But for grownups who don't mind being unnerved, the film's appeal lies in its unsettling elements and melancholic storyline. Does hope prevail in the end? Find out for yourself. Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Tokyo's newest art star is one-year-old Thumbelina
Gallery director Dan Isomura with abstract artwork by Thumbelina at his gallery in the Shinjuku district in central Tokyo. PHOTO: AFP Works by 21-month-old artist Thumbelina at her home in Tokyo. Abstract paintings by the toddler are on sale at her debut show at Decameron gallery. PHOTO: AFP TOKYO – Gripping paintbrush and crayon, the artist known as Thumbelina splodges and splats with merry abandon, the one-year-old star of a Tokyo exhibition that goes on way past her bedtime. Abstract paintings by the toddler are on sale for 33,000 yen (S$300) each at her debut show at the hip gallery Decameron, tucked above a bar in the Kabukicho red-light district. Thumbelina's vivid style is 'babyish but mysteriously dexterous', said gallery director – and matchmaker of her parents – Dan Isomura. 'I thought, 'wow, these are legit artworks',' contemporary artist Isomura, 32, said, describing his first impression of her free-form creations. The dining table at the home of Thumbelina doubles as her drawing space. PHOTO: AFP Colourful smudges adorn tatami mats and tables at the 21-month-old's suburban home, where her mother patiently helps twist open paint tubes and squeeze them onto paper. 'I can see this rhythm in her movements and patterns. She knows what she's doing,' said the evacuee in her 20s from Ukraine, asking to remain anonymous for privacy reasons. As a fellow artist focusing on Japanese calligraphy, she is jealous of her daughter's first solo exhibition, she joked, though, of course, 'I'm happy, as a mum'. Once, she thought her daughter might help her with work, but now, 'I'm her assistant'. A drawing on the side of a sliding screen door at the home of Thumbelina (right). PHOTO: AFP After Russia invaded in 2022, Thumbelina's mother left Ukraine's eastern Donbas region – her 'very pathological, violent' homeland torn apart by war. She found herself on a plane to Japan, having consulted a website helping Ukrainians find housing worldwide. A chance seating beside Isomura , who had only boarded because of two delayed flights, changed her life. Amazed to learn they were both artists, the pair kept in touch and, later, through Isomura's introduction, she met her future husband. 'Dan is our angel, you know, like Cupid,' she said. The couple then had Thumbelina – not her real name – whose paintings inspired Isomura. Artist Thumbelina at work in her home. PHOTO: AFP At first, he had assumed the toddler was scribbling randomly, like she was playing in the mud. But when he saw Thumbelina in action, she seemed to signal each time she considered her drawing complete, prompting her mother to give her a fresh sheet. The fact that Thumbelina sometimes demands a specific colour, develops shapes from paint droplets and finishes voluntarily suggests a will at work, he said. 'Some may say her mother's involvement means these are not Thumbelina's works,' Isomura said. But 'for a baby, a mother is part of their body'. In any case, adult artists are not fully independent, Isomura argued, as they rarely break free of store-bought paints or conventional canvases. 'We operate under the illusion of solitary creation, while in fact, we rely heavily on systems built by others,' he said. The exhibition, Isomura's first as director of Decameron, opened in March and runs until mid-May. But most of the time it is on, from 8pm to 5am , Thumbelina will likely be fast asleep. Artist Thumbelina using a brush to paint at her home. PHOTO: AFP One recent night at the gallery, an admiring visitor said the paintings had an innocent charm. 'We instinctively try to draw skilfully because we've grown used to having our paintings evaluated by others', said Ms Yuri Kuroda, 45. 'But it feels like she doesn't care at all about whether it's good or bad. It's a mindset we can never return to.' So, would she pay $300 to take one home? 'I'm tempted,' Ms Kuroda said with a chuckle. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Epoch Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Moments in Maturation: ‘Thumbelina'
Growing up can be extremely scary, yet, in his fairy tale ' An old woman wishes to have a little child of her own, so she asks a witch how to get one. In response, the witch gives her a seed and tells her to plant it. A beautiful flower grows from the seed and, when the flower finally opens, it reveals a little girl inside. The delighted old woman decides to call her Thumbelina, since she is no bigger than a thumb. The Toad Thumbelina lives happily with the old woman, until one night she is kidnapped by a toad. The toad has decided that she will be an excellent wife for its son, so it subsequently whisks her away to a muddy marsh. Thumbelina wakes to find herself floating on a water lily in the middle of the stream. She learns of her marriage to the toad's ugly, slimy son. Frightened, Thumbelina begins crying at her terrible, unescapable fate. A distraught Thumbelina is depicted in the 1872 original telling of "Thumbelina" by Hans Christian Andersen. Public Domain Yet, upon hearing her crying, the fish below pity her and cut the water lily free. So, down the stream Thumbelina drifts, happy and free from the toads. The May Bug As Thumbelina drifts down the river, a May bug spots her, swoops down, grabs her, and takes her to the top of a tree. The May bug feeds her honey and tells 'her how pretty she is, considering that she doesn't look the least like a May bug.' However, other May bugs come to see Thumbelina and begin criticizing her. They say how ugly she is. Their negative comments finally sway the May bug so that it agrees with them. It carries Thumbelina to the bottom of the tree, and abandons her there. Related Stories 4/19/2025 4/18/2025 Left alone and scared, Thumbelina fends for herself throughout summer and fall. But, when winter arrives, Thumbelina has neither shelter, nor warm clothing. She wanders into a large grain field, where she finds a field mouse's home. Pitying Thumbelina, the kind-hearted mouse welcomes her in and offers her a warm place to live. Thumbelina becomes acquainted with the mouse and the mole, in this 1900 illustration from the Andersen Tegner retelling of "Thumbelina." Public Domain The Mole Soon after Thumbelina's arrival, the field mouse's neighbor, the Mole, visits. Thumbelina isn't impressed with him, because he cannot see, doesn't like sunlight or bird song, and abandons a frozen swallow discovered in his tunnels. Secretly, she nurses the swallow back to health until it flies away. The mole admires her and eventually proposes, leaving Thumbelina disappointed and dejected. She does not accept but she feels she has no choice. Finally, the day of the marriage arrives. Thumbelina steps outside to take a last glimpse of the sunlight before descending into the burrow forever. She mourns her fate. Suddenly, Thumbelina hears chirping above her. The swallow that she had helped comes down to her. Unable to hold back her tears, she tells it of her impending wedding. In this 1900 illustration by Andersen Tegner, Thumbelina flies away on the swallow's back, while the mouse and the mole watch from below. Public Domain The swallow offers to save her and carry her away to a distant, warmer place. Overjoyed, Thumbelina quickly climbs onto the swallow's back and the two set off. The King Thumbelina and the swallow finally arrive at the swallow's home in the south. It places Thumbelina on a large white flower and flies to its perch in an ancient marble temple. In the flower, Thumbelina meets a young, tiny king, who rules the spirits of the flowers. Taken with each other, they soon fall in love and marry, living happily ever after. Through this charming story, Andersen showed how Thumbelina maintains her virtue and goodness as she experiences these moments in maturation. And, because she never abandons her virtue, even when scared and hopeless, she merits the beautiful, happy ending to her story. What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
RTÉ News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Tokyo's newest art star: one-year-old Thumbelina
Gripping paintbrush and crayon, the artist known as Thumbelina splodges and splats with merry abandon, the one-year-old star of a Tokyo exhibition that goes on way past her bedtime. Abstract paintings by the toddler are on sale for 33,000 yen (€203) at her debut show at the hip gallery Decameron, tucked above a bar in the Kabukicho red-light district. Thumbelina's vivid style is "babyish but mysteriously dexterous", gallery director - and matchmaker of her parents - Dan Isomura said. "I thought, 'wow, these are legit artworks'," Isomura said, describing his first impression of her free-form creations. Colourful smudges adorn tatami mats and tables at the 21-month-old's suburban home, where her mother patiently helps twist open paint tubes and squeeze them onto paper. "I can see this rhythm in her movements and patterns... she knows what she's doing," said the evacuee from Ukraine in her 20s, asking to remain anonymous for privacy reasons. As a fellow artist focusing on Japanese calligraphy, she is "jealous" of her daughter's first solo exhibition, she joked, though of course "I'm happy, as a mum". Once she thought her daughter might help her with work, but now "I'm her assistant". 'Like Cupid' After Russia invaded in 2022, Thumbelina's mother left Ukraine's eastern Donbas region - her "very pathological, violent" homeland torn apart by war. She found herself on a plane to Japan, having consulted a website helping Ukrainians find housing worldwide. A chance seating beside contemporary artist Isomura, who had only boarded because of two delayed flights, changed her life. Amazed to learn they were both artists, the pair kept in touch, and later, through Isomura's introduction, she met her future husband. "Dan is our angel, you know, like Cupid," she said. The couple then had Thumbelina - not her real name - whose paintings inspired 32-year-old Isomura. At first he had assumed the toddler was "scribbling randomly, like she was playing in the mud". But when he saw Thumbelina in action, "she seemed to signal each time she considered her drawing complete," prompting her mother to give her a fresh sheet. The fact that Thumbelina sometimes demands a specific colour, develops shapes from paint droplets and finishes voluntarily suggests a will at work, he said. "Some may say her mother's involvement means these are not Thumbelina's works," Isomura said. But "for a baby, a mother is part of their body". Young creative mindset In any case, adult artists are not fully independent, Isomura argues, as they rarely break free of store-bought paints or conventional canvases. "We operate under the illusion of solitary creation, while in fact we rely heavily on systems built by others," he said. The exhibition, Isomura's first as director of Decameron, opened last month and runs until mid-May. But most of the time it's on, from 8pm until 5am, Thumbelina will likely be fast asleep. One recent night at the gallery, an admiring visitor said the paintings had an innocent charm. "We instinctively try to draw skilfully" because "we've grown used to having our paintings evaluated by others", 45-year-old Yuri Kuroda said. "But it feels like she doesn't care at all about whether it's good or bad... It's a mindset we can never return to." So would she pay 33,000 yen to take one home?
