There's no Place Like Home: ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Inspires Livraria Lello's Christmas Window Displays
This Christmas, Livraria Lello draws inspiration from the magic of ‘The Wizard of Oz’, published by The Little Collection, the bookshop's imprint dedicated to children's and young adult classics, to create an ode to friendship and human connection. This initiative is part of the launch of the ‘Lemos a Meias?’ (Let's read in pairs?) campaign, which aims to combat social isolation through shared reading. Livraria Lello thus reinforces its role as a cultural catalyst close to the people.
Since 1 November, the Christmas window displays at Livraria Lello have been enchanting passers-by on Rua das Carmelitas in Porto with an art installation that invites the public to immerse themselves in the fantasy of ‘The Wizard of Oz’. This year, the challenge was set for London-based artist Lydia Kasumi Shirreff, known for her intricate and meticulously handcrafted paper sculptures.
The artist recreated, entirely in paper, the mythical Emerald City, symbolising Dorothy and her companions' journey towards friendship, courage and wisdom.
‘An invitation to work with the most beautiful bookshop in the world? I was absolutely delighted. I have always loved books, I grew up surrounded by them — my parents' house is filled with literature. I immersed myself in the photographs and history of the Livraria Lello building, which is pure magic. The opportunity to work with the bookshop is a dream come true,’ shares Lydia Kasumi Shirreff.
“The ideas behind the project were very intriguing. What fascinated me about this project was the fact that there was a complex theme underlying the installation, rather than it being just a celebration of Christmas. Christmas became the backdrop for a story that is essentially about friendship and love, [values] that overcome differences. When I saw the children's edition of Livraria Lello [published in The Little Collection], I knew immediately that I wanted to adapt those illustrations for the shop windows. They bring together, in an incredible way, a charming innocence and colourful details, which worked perfectly in the work," adds the artist.
Inspired by the film's iconic transition from black and white to Technicolor, Lydia wanted to capture the feeling of wonder in the installation. "I wanted to bring the colourful atmosphere, the brightness and the childlike charm to the shop windows — the moment when the world becomes colourful. Each project is unique and is a puzzle to solve. In this case, scale was crucial. I wanted it to have presence. With the shop windows, the public has the opportunity to see it up close. Its function is to attract and hold attention, but it can also be a very personal experience," she explains.
The creative process began with sketches and small-scale models, before the artist embarked on the construction of the final pieces, which she installed herself in the bookshop. "It was undoubtedly a very enjoyable project. My studio will be covered in glitter for years, and I have no regrets," jokes Lydia.
The shop windows of Livraria Lello are artistic creations designed for each season of the year. These installations are a calling card for the building and transform the heart of Porto into a space where literature is not just art but becomes an agent of transformation and solidarity.
Represented by Making Pictures (United Kingdom and Europe) and A-GENT Tokyo (Asia), Lydia is internationally recognised for her work for brands and publications such as Chanel, Vogue UK, Harper's Bazaar, The Guardian, Anthropologie, De Beers, Adidas Originals, and The Ritz London, among many others.
Let's read in pairs?
The initiative is part of the launch of the ‘Let's read in pairs?’ campaign, which aims to combat loneliness and social isolation through shared reading, reinforcing the role of Livraria Lello as a cultural catalyst close to the people. The bookshop's window displays are just the first chapter of this story and mission, which Livraria Lello will soon reveal in full.
‘At a time when loneliness is recognised as an epidemic, we believe that reading is a deeply human gesture and a silent antidote to isolation,’ explains Francisca Pedro Pinto, Head of Brand and Creative Business Development at Livraria Lello.
‘We were inspired by ’The Wizard of Oz" to remind us that no wizard can grant what friendship already offers. Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Lion and the Scarecrow show us that it is together that we find our way home. This Christmas, we want to emphasise that reading is just that: a shared journey, constant companionship and, perhaps, the most beautiful way to live longer and better," she concludes.
About Lydia Kasumi Shirreff
Lydia Kasumi Shirreff is a British paper artist whose handmade sculptures and installations bring unique visual worlds to life for set design, advertising and fashion. Her work stands out for its combination of technical precision and visual poetry. You can read the full interview with the artist here.