The special exhibition "Dinosaur Encyclopedia: Imagination/Creation of the Lost World" has been held at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art since March 4, 2023. Focusing on paleoart (paleontological art) drawn from the dawn of dinosaur research to the present day, numerous works from around the world are gathered and displayed, including works by masters Charles R. Knight and Zdeněk Burian, active in the 20th century, as well as subculture items such as manga and toys, and contemporary art.
Mr. Takashi Oda, Mr. Hirokazu Tokugawa, and Mr. Kazuaki Araki, who are well-known for supervising Favorite products, and jazz pianist Mr. Hiroshi Tamura, who writes the New Dinosaur Treasure House, have also cooperated from the planning stage. The Favorite staff visited the museum, and we will report on their visit, including comments from Mr. Hiroki Okamoto, the curator who planned this exhibition.

Going up the stairs from the entrance, you're greeted by Burian's Iguanodon, and a poster visual with the copy "Me in my prime," which resonates with old fans. This copy was penned by curator Okamoto.

 

 

 

The exhibition is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1 features works that convey the intriguing image people had of dinosaurs back in the 19th century, with details close to mythical creatures like dragons and human-like gestures.
Each artwork is accompanied by an explanation of the painting, as well as dinosaur specifications often seen in dinosaur exhibitions, offering a different way to enjoy this dinosaur exhibition.
Some works marked with an OK symbol can be photographed.

Chapter 2 offers a comprehensive look at the works of Knight and Burian, familiar from dinosaur encyclopedias. This exhibition content will bring back fond memories for long-time dinosaur fans.
Curator Okamoto himself was thrilled by these dinosaurs depicted in encyclopedias he saw as a child. As an adult, his passion for dinosaurs reignited with the dinosaur boom following the release of the movie Jurassic Park and the manga by Shinjyuzo Tokoro. He then planned an exhibition to collect the drawings that had interested and captivated him as a child.

Chapter 3 shows how dinosaurs were treated in Japan, through Mr. Hiroshi Tamura's collection and valuable original drawings of manga manuscripts by Mr. Shinjyuzo Tokoro. Here, you can see actual items from various collections from the Meiji to Showa periods introduced by Mr. Hiroshi Tamura in his New Dinosaur Treasure House.

Chapter 4, which follows, features mainly contemporary paleoart reflecting advancements in dinosaur research, as well as art pieces with dinosaur motifs and works by Mr. Takashi Oda and Mr. Hirokazu Tokugawa.

And finally, among the restoration models on display, there are also Favorite products!
The Oldies Model, produced under the supervision of Kazuaki Araki, is on display, showing the evolution of the Iguanodon dinosaur restoration statues. (The exhibited items are Mr. Araki's personal collection.)

And looking up above the displayed models...

The museum shop featured Favorite products such as vinyl models, painted models, and mini-models, and on the day of the interview, children and old fans were picking them up.
*Please note that stock status changes daily.*

The official catalog is highly recommended for its valuable content and luxurious binding.

At the entrance, the Iguanodon from the Crystal Palace is set up as a photo spot. This is a scaled-up reproduction created by 3D scanning the Oldies Model on display, with details adjusted by Mr. Araki.
Finally, a commemorative photo with curator Okamoto, whom we interviewed this time 📸

Dinosaur Encyclopedia: Imagination/Creation of the Lost World
March 4 (Sat) - May 14 (Sun), 2023
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Last admission 5:30 PM)
Closed: Mondays
Admission fees: Adults 2,000 yen, University students 1,500 yen, High school students and younger free
https://www.artm.pref.hyogo.jp/exhibition/t_2302/

Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
1-1-1 Wakinohama Kaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo 651-0073
TEL: 078-262-1011
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
https://www.artm.pref.hyogo.jp/