This weekend I visited the House of Mina Lima Exhibition in Soho. I went with a group of friends / fans of the books. I decided not to go too over the top and wear a costume or anything so I just went for a witchy dress, my Ravenclaw hoody and Head Girl badge… So not that much at all…
The Mina Lima Exhibition
For those not familiar, Mina Lima is the graphic arts company responsible for the graphics within the Wizarding World. So that’s the book covers, the potion bottles, the icon signage… all the little details that helped to make the Harry Potter movies a true reflection of the world created by JK Rowling.
You, like me, may not realise the amount that these affect the overall tone of the movies and realise just how many graphics there were! The Harry Potter saga is full of amazing props over the course of the 8 films. The Mina Lima Exhibition filled two floors and with the release of the Fantastic Beasts movie, I also got to experience an entire 3rd floor of related print artwork.
The house itself
The place looked as if the whole thing had been created separately and then mortared together. There were creaky floorboards, slanted stairs and ceilings; the whole thing was reminiscent of a creaky abandoned house, filled with iconic imagery and props.
The Daily Prophet. Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. HoneyDukes Sweets.
Hogwarts Acceptance Letters. Ministry Propaganda Posters.
Howlers. House Crests. The Quibbler! All these magical quirks that make Harry Potter completely different from all the other fandoms and have brought the world to life were inside.
Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima (whose names sound like they’re straight out of a Hogwarts alumni directory!) have been honoured as eponymous characters in the Harry Potter World.
And that’s for good reason! Their attention to detail is astonishing and although I wouldn’t consider myself a graphic arts enthusiast I can definitely appreciate the amount of effort that goes into creating things like this.
The shop was absolutely wonderful. In the end, I just had to buy some badges and postcards. Later, I regretted not buying myself a print so I splashed out on a Ravenclaw one.
It was wonderful to be encapsulated by this world that I’ve grown up in once more.
Have you ever visited the Mina Lima Exhibition? What makes the Harry Potter movies magical for you?
Until next time
Amy
8th January 2017
This looks amazing I want to gooo ???? Love the photos! ???? Xx
8th January 2017
Thanks for your comment! And get in there quick! It may be closing in February 🙁
3rd February 2017
[…] won’t be an overwhelming amount of Harry Potter related posts (!) As you may tell from my previous post, I am a huge fan. I have the privilege of the first Harry Potter book being released while I was of […]
16th December 2017
[…] I love Harry Potter – I grew up with the books, I grew more and more fond of the films, the graphics are amazing, and there is always something new to find out. The world that JK Rowling has built has […]
6th April 2018
[…] the store of Mina Lima, the people responsible for the graphics for all the Harry Potter movies. This particular one is […]
27th November 2018
It looks absolutely lovely! That headgirl pin looks gorgeous, was that on display or is that something you bought? I really need to get myself to at least one Harry Potter exhibit at some point.
27th November 2018
The pin was from WB studio tour – and I just had to have it, of course!