Found: A Leo Lionni Exhibit
Found it while transferring trains in Shibuya! This surprise Leo Lionni exhibit pulled me right in—with scissors, textures, and childlike joy.
Maybe it’s because my eyes are always darting around, but while changing trains at Shibuya Station the other day, I somehow stumbled upon another art exhibition—this time, it was Leo Lionni!
In Japan, I think he’s most famous for his book Swimmy, but I wonder how well-known he is in the U.S.
Out of all the exhibits I’ve seen recently, this one was the easiest to absorb. It started by showcasing Lionni’s works based on technique. He used so many different methods to create his characters and illustrations: cutting paper with scissors to make collages, tearing paper to create the fluffy texture of a mouse, layering paint on already-patterned paper, or pressing paper onto painted glass to make watery monotype textures. Viewing his work through the lens of technique made it super engaging—and I found myself actively studying, thinking, “How can I steal this idea?” More than any other exhibition, I was in full-on learning mode.
So many inspiring techniques—I was too busy taking photos to breathe!
Turns out Leo Lionni was also really good at drawing! He learned from his uncle as a kid!
Then the exhibit moved into his early life and graphic design career, and showed videos of playful Leo himself. At one point you enter a room filled with all forty of his picture books (!!), and beyond that was a fully immersive, interactive space that felt like you’d stepped into one of his stories.
Just like Swimmy finally swimming with the others, I left the exhibit with that same warm, fuzzy feeling.
There were displays of plant and animal cutouts used in his books, and a giant digital version of Swimmy playing on a screen. There was also a playful corner where you could place paper over six different textures—lace, tatami, and more—and rub crayon over it to reveal the patterns underneath. I hadn’t done something like that since I was a kid, and it was so much fun!
Apparently, Lionni grew up surrounded by high-quality art and dreamed of becoming an artist, but at his father’s strong request, he studied economics in university. By chance, he ended up in an advertising department, which led to a career in graphic design and art direction—and he really mastered it. This exhibit made me realize that his picture books are a perfect balance between the sophisticated eye of a grown-up art director and the endlessly curious heart of a child.
And of course, true to form, as I was leaving the exhibit, my roaming eyes landed on a stack of flyers—and there it was: another exhibition. “Design Ah” was happening nearby. But I’ll save that story for another day.