It’s been 20 years since Hayao Miyazaki introduced the world to his loveable forest spirit in the acclaimed animated feature My Neighbor Totoro. This summer, the popular classic has inspired a charity auction and exhibition event launched to preserve Sayama Forest in Japan, which is also known as ‘Totoro Forest.’
Located in the outskirts of Tokyo, this 8750-acre park has been the source of inspiration and a sacred place for the Japanese animation master. Sadly, like many other natural parks around the world, the forest has been the victim of urban development in the past few decades.
Artists from around the world were asked to come up with artwork inspired by the gentle creature depicted in the landmark movie. Over 200 original pieces from internationally acclaimed artists and animators’William Joyce, Andreas Deja, Timothy Lamb, Ronnie del Carmen, Ralph Eggleston, Pete Docter and Peter de Seve, to name a few’are featured in this one-of-a-kind event which tries to answer the question ‘What is your Totoro?’ The auction will be held at Pixar Animation Studio on September 6th.
A companion art book, edited by Karen Paik (The Story of Pixar), will also be available at the event. Selected artwork from the Totoro auction will be featured as two special exhibitions at The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco (Exhibit A: Sept. 26-Dec. 7; Exhibit B: Nov. 6-Feb. 20).
To view some the awe-inspiring ‘What is your Totoro?’ art work or to donate to the cause, visit www.totoroforestproject.org.
