Oscar-winning animation studio LAIKA is bringing its pop-up exhibition “The LAIKA Experience” to San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, from Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 23 — coinciding with the Comic-Con International. With free admission, visitors can get an up-close look at the marvelous props, puppets, monsters and sets from acclaimed films Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls and Kubo and the Two Strings.
The LAIKA Experience will also showcase fan art, a photo/GIF booth, social media activations, merchandise (including a new limited edition Coraline doll and display case), giveaways, and daily drawings for a pair of LAIKA-themed Nike shoes designed by Tinker Hatfield.
Travis Knight, President & CEO of LAIKA and director of Kubo, will appear in person on Friday, July 21 at 3 p.m. to autograph merch purchased at the exhibit.
“LAIKA’s films are a unique fusion of art, craft, science, and technology, commingling cinema’s history with the future of film. But our techniques are often shrouded in mystery,” said Knight. “The LAIKA Experience offers a rare opportunity to peel back the curtain, giving fans an immersive, up-close look at our process, characters, worlds, and dreams made manifest.”
Other highlights of LAIKA’s presence in San Diego:
July 16: LAIKA will host 25 BAFTA LA students at the Giants/Padres game in Petco Park
July 16: Watch for LAIKA walkaround costumed characters at the LAIKA Photo Booth inside the gates of Balboa Park during the PRIDE Festival. Pose for a photo with ParaNorman’s “Mitch Downe,” the first gay character ever featured in an animated film. Customized LAIKA headbands will be distributed.
July 21: From 2-3 p.m., Travis Knight will be joined by New York Times bestselling author Tony DiTerlizzi (The Spiderwick Chronicles; Star Wars: Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight) for a Facebook Live tour of The LAIKA Experience. Travis will share LAIKA’s unique creative process with Tony as they take fans on a virtual tour of the pop up exhibit.
The exhibit will be located at 520 Fifth Avenue in San Diego.
