- Title: Teletubbies return with art takeover world tour
- Date: 26th September 2024
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 26, 2024) (REUTERS) LARGE SPRAY PAINTED TELETUBBIES MURAL BY MURWALLS TITLED "EH-OH!" IN GALLERY BY OTHER TELETUBBIES ARTWORK DETAILS OF MURAL FEATURING PURSE WITH UNION JACK FLAG TELETUBBIES ARTWORK DISPLAYED ON GALLERY WALLS TELETUBBIES DIGITAL GICLEE PRINT ARTWORK BY RORY MCQUEEN TITLED "INVADERS" ON DISPLAY ARTWORK FEATURING S
- Embargoed: 10th October 2024 15:32
- Keywords: House of Teletubbies Teletubbies Teletubbies London Teletubbies art Teletubbies art takeover WildBrain
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: UK
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA001714426092024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The Teletubbies are back - but instead of television screens, the multicolour quartet is spreading their message of joy and inclusivity through a travelling international art project.
The first stop on the tour is London, where a Soho gallery has been transformed into a celebration of Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po.
The four characters have served as muses for 13 acclaimed and emerging artists from around the globe working across diverse mediums.
"This weekend in London, we're kicking off 'The House of Teletubbies' world tour art takeover. The Teletubbies have been on a world tour for the past year. They're continuing this campaign into 2025, focused on themes of art, music and belonging and inclusivity," said Melissa Goodrich, director of franchise at WildBrain, who own the Teletubbies brand.
"We brought together a collective of 13 artists from around the globe, ranging from different mediums, from canvas to photography to sculpture, and even some decommissioned riot spray painted gear," she said.
"Teletubbies", a British children's television show, first hit screens on March 31, 1997, beaming into sets from their fictional home "Teletubbyland". According to Goodrich, the content has been broadcast in more than 190 countries over the years and translated into many languages.
Nearly three decades on, their popularity has not waned, said Goodrich.
"The original fan base of the Teletubbies from 1997, as they are now Gen Z and young millennials, they still love to experience that world of Teletubbies and just embrace the joy and discovery that they bring," she said, adding that young children were also still discovering and developing with the foursome.
"They're joy. They are just all about chaos and wonder, discovery. They fall down, they get messy, and it's okay, they dust themselves off, they get back up and try again. It's all about inclusivity and belonging. Everyone is welcome into the world of Teletubbies, differences are embraced and celebrated," said Goodrich.
The Teletubbies have recently participated in Bangkok and London Pride events and travelled to RuPaul's DragCon in Los Angeles. After London, the art takeover will travel to Miami, Florida, United States in December, with further dates being planned in spring 2025 across the United States and Asia.
Hoping to celebrate diverse art forms, organisers plan to involve local artists along each stop.
"We want to continue to engage and grow. And what this is, is it's really an invitation to play and colour outside the lines. The Teletubbies are so inspirational with their technicolor world, all the textures and shapes that they have. There's so much fun that you can have with this brand. So we want to use this collective to really inspire," said Goodrich.
In the British capital, visitors will be met by real-size Teletubbies when they arrive at the London takeover and artists will also be on hand to showcase and teach different art forms from doodles and graffiti to caricature.
"House of Teletubbies London: Art Takeover" takes place at 15 Bateman Street Sept. 26-28.
(Production: Ben Makori, Hanna Rantala) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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