Artist Masuda Sebastian will be holding the ‘Yes, Kawaii is Art’ exhibition in Osaka and Kyoto. The exhibition will be starting in Kitakagaya, Osaka’s City of Art, held between October 30 and November 30.
The exhibition explores the current state of ‘Kawaii,’ a keyword which has influenced the world, along with a selection of Masuda Sebastian’s works.
In 2020, Masuda started conversations with Kawaii communities across the globe to light up the world with vivid colors following the pandemic. What is Kawaii? Why does Kawaii surpass borders, generations, and gender, as the community moves onwards? This exhibition investigates the depths and new possibilities that Kawaii offers, through the works of Masuda Sebastian and his activities as an activist.
Special Focus
Venue 1: Japan’s First Colorful Room Exhibition
The first venue features a full-room installation titled ‘Colorful Rebellion Seventh Nightmare.’
The piece was first released in 2014 and was created as a self-portrait representing the seven deadly sins. Following its first exhibition in Chelsea, New York, it has since been exhibited in Florida’s Young at Art Museum, Milano’s Milano Salone, Amsterdam’s Tropenmuseum, and Antwerp’s Museum aan de Stroon. This will be the first exhibition of this work in Japan.
Second Venue: An Experience Based on the Artist’s Memories
The second venue features the experience-type exhibit, ‘Fantastic Voyage.’ The piece, which was originally shown for just three days in Tokyo during February 2021, has been reworked and will be exhibited once more. The art reflects the current world, where everything is rapidly changing due to the Covid pandemic.
A transparent capsule drifts through space, travelling through a world studded with snippets of sound and words. Both the guest experiencing this world and the person within the capsule are experiencing the same time together without exchanging words. It is the concept and prototype of “a device that imagines the future in an isolated world.” The performance lasts for 30 minutes, reaching deep into the viewer’s senses.
Venue Three: Harajuku’s Famous World Time Clock is Revived in Two New Forms
The third venue features the famous ‘Colorful Rebellion -WORLD TIME CLOCK-,’ a piece which was beloved by the city of Harajuku since its unveiling in 2015, remembered by tourists from all over the world. The original 2015 world clock, which was displayed on the streets of Harajuku, has been reconstructed while retaining the original faded materials. The 2019 version, which was made based on the colors of the original world clock, will also be displayed.
The Tokyo exhibition was expected to open in September 2021 but was postponed due to Covid-19. Details for the new exhibition dates will be announced in the future.
“I want to see the future of Kawaii. That is why I cannot stop creating; that is what drives me.” – Masuda Sebastian.
Information
“Yes, Kawaii is Art”
First Venue – kagoo: 5-4-18 Kitakagaya, Suminoe-ku, Osaka
Duration: October 30 ~ November 21 2021 (Closed Sunday and Tuesdays, closed on November 17.)
Opening Hours: 12:00 ~ 18:00
Second Venue: 5-5-1 Oto Building, Kitakagaya, Suminoe-ku, Osaka
Duration: November 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14, 2021
Opening Hours: 13:00 ~ 14:00 / 15:00 ~ 16:00 / 17:00 ~ 18:00 (*Only open between 17:00 ~ 18:00 on November 14.)
Third Venue: 5-2-28 Sendori Bunka Hall, Kitakagaya, Suminoe-ku, Osaka
Duration: November 12 ~ November 21 (Closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)
Opening Hours: 12:00 ~ 18:00
Official Site: https://sebastianmasuda.com
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Title: KAWAII LAB’s Road to Being Super KAWAII (KAWAII LAB. no Chou Kawaii he no Michi)
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“King of Kawaii” Sebastian Masuda, creator of Harajuku’s “KAWAII MONSTER CAFE,” loved by celebrities around the world, has created a new restaurant concept in New York City
Sebastian Masuda is a multi-disciplinary artist whose unique sense of color transcends the boundaries of art, fashion, and entertainment. His restaurant “KAWAII MONSTER CAFE” opened in Harajuku in August 2015 and quickly became a popular spot in Tokyo, frequented by celebrities from around the world, including BLACK PINK’s Jenny, Katy Perry, and Ariana Grande. His next project will take place in New York City, where he is currently based. The restaurant will offer a completely new perspective on sushi, the most popular Japanese food in the U.S. and an integral part of the American lifestyle.Enjoy an Immersive Kawaii Experience
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