[Gallery Walk] From Shelter to Sanctuary... Come Visit the 'Moomin Goljjagi'

75 Years of the 'Moomin' Family Adventures, Meet the Original Work 'Moomin Original: Moomin 75th Anniversary Special Original Art Exhibition'
Special Exhibition at Ground Siso Seongsu from Tomorrow… Over 250 Pieces Including Pen Drawings and Character Originals
The Moomin Valley Painted by Tove Jansson as a Hideout… Transformed into a Cozy Sanctuary for Reflecting on Life

Starting with the German Brothers Grimm, Jacob (1785?1863) and Wilhelm (1786?1859), families in fairy tales were portrayed as oppressive entities. Home was a place to escape from in search of the future. There were stepmothers who blocked love and fathers who crushed dreams.

Finnish author Tove Jansson (1914?2001) rejected this trend. In her breakthrough work, the 'Moomin' series, she depicted family as harmonious. Family members respect each other's individuality and build strong bonds. There is also love that transcends blood relations. Even if appearances or attire differ, they warmly embrace one another.

The Moomin family, who do not fear differences but enjoy them, is coming to Seoul. From the 13th, the 'Moomin Original: Moomin 75th Anniversary Special Original Art Exhibition' will be held at Ground Siso Seongsu in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. About 250 pen drawings and character original artworks from the 'Moomin' series will be exhibited. These are collections from Finland's Moomin Characters and the Jansson family. An official said, "We will captivate visitors' senses with diverse exhibition content such as 3D animation and media art."

Moomin is a character with a plump, pale body and kind eyes. Since 1945, it has been introduced through nine novels, six serialized comics, four picture books, and five theatrical animations, gaining much love. The main content is small adventures. Overcoming difficulties with family and friends, it awakens the values of love, friendship, and coexistence. This exhibition is organized to follow their adventures. The nine main stages of the 'Moomin' series published from 1946 to 1970 are spatially represented.

The most eye-catching space is Moomin Valley. It was depicted as a refuge by Jansson, who was weary from war. In the preface to the revised edition of the first 'Moomin' series, 'The Moomins and the Great Flood,' he wrote: "It was the winter of 1939, in the midst of war. Everyone stopped what they were doing. Drawing seemed completely pointless. It was no surprise that I suddenly felt an urge to write a story beginning with 'Once upon a time.' The story that followed had to be a fairy tale. I introduced my own angry character instead of princes, princesses, or children, and named it 'Moomintroll.'"

At the time of publication, the 'Moomin' series was heavily criticized for being escapism. It was an era when novels without moral lessons were frowned upon. Jansson openly admitted that philosophy or political views were not reflected. "I wrote it to be fun, not to teach."

In 'The Moomins and the Great Flood,' the Moomins face death as the land is submerged by a great flood. Moomintroll and Moominmamma embark on an adventure to find Moominpappa, who disappeared into the Hattifatteners' world. After many twists and turns, including crossing a river by boat and encountering a snake, they achieve their goal and regain peaceful daily life. The place where life begins anew is Moomin Valley.

Finnish art critic Tuula Karjalainen wrote in her book 'Tove Jansson, Work and Love' that Moomin Valley "appears as a cozy and safe environment," contrasting sharply with the backdrop where adventures unfold. "The Moomin family always feels reassured when they return home to the peaceful valley after venturing into the vast world," she said.

The adventure spaces that form the core of this exhibition contain mystery, warmth, and cruelty all at once. Jansson believed that all children's books contain elements of fear. She thought children are unconsciously drawn to destructive elements. The worst fear for them stems from darkness. When elements that provide a sense of safety are added, fear is offset, producing meaningful results. Jansson placed family bonds and concern for others as lights illuminating the darkness.

The Moomin family overcomes disaster again in the second book, 'Comet in Moominland.' After that, there is no need to flee or hide. Written after the war, Jansson seemed to feel that natural disasters were no longer necessary. In the sequels, she dealt with tensions between characters and posed questions about justice and morality. These were difficult topics for children's books but issues she personally pondered.

Within this shift in thematic consciousness, Moomin Valley appears in a new form. A representative example is the Moomin Valley drawn by Moominmamma in 'Moominpappa at Sea.' Moominpappa, bored with peaceful days, leads the family to a remote island in the open sea. In an old, shabby lighthouse, the family grows distant from each other. Moomintroll mentally leaves his parents' embrace, and Moominpappa immerses himself in sea research as a writer and scientist. Moominmamma spends all day painting Moomin Valley on the walls. Small Moominmamma figures exist here and there in the painting like illusions. Moomintroll and Moominpappa do not know which Moominmamma is depicted.

Swedish literature professor Boel Westin wrote in her book 'Tove Jansson: Desire for Creation and Life' that "Moominmamma expresses longing by painting a blooming Moomin Valley." She added, "It is so intense that, like the legend of Chinese artist Odo Hyun, it seems as if the artwork will swallow the artist by bringing art into life." Odo Hyun was an 8th-century artist who painted wondrous natural landscapes such as mountains, water, plants, and animals. It is said he disappeared into the cave murals he completed.

The paintings by Moominmamma show the influence Moomin Valley holds. She is everywhere in Moomin Valley. Snufkin, who accompanies the Moomin family, asks, "Please paint us too." Moominmamma replies, "You were outside." She already knows where the family is. The one to find is oneself.

When Moomintroll quietly leaves his seat, Moominmamma paints herself sleeping next to a lilac bush. It is the image of a mother freed from the constant demands of a young child. Thus, Moomin Valley transforms into another space: a sanctuary for self-reflection...

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.