Japanese Artist MAI YONEYAMA Featured in London’s Saatchi Gallery “START ART FAIR 2021”
31.October.2021 | ANIME&GAME
Animator and Illustrator MAI YONEYAMA has been chosen to represent Japan at the START ART FAIR 2021. The exhibition will be held at the Saatchi Gallery in London, known as one of the most famous contemporary art galleries, with over 70 artists from 25 countries and galleries around the world expected to participate. MAI YONEYAMA will be presenting her work titled “00:00:00;00” (Sequence), a piece symbolizing her own life.
The artwork is one of the stand-out pieces of this year’s fair, having been recognized by Hermitage Museum curator Dimitti Ozerkov’s team and featured by START.art, a global curators collective.
A LOT, 2021
Es, 2021
Id, 2021
DISCOVER, 2021
silk moss, 2020
VISIONS, 2020
YONEYAMA started her career as an animator on the GAINAX, the anime company in charge of ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion.’ She is well known in the animation industry, having also worked for the anime production company Trigger: She was the animation director for ‘Kill la Kill’ and character designer for ‘Kiznaiver,’ before taking charge of the visual development for 2019 hit movie ‘Promare.’ She is also a well known illustrator, even producing artwork for the ‘Evangelion’ apparel brand ‘RADIO EVA.’ Not only did she produce the artwork for the Kanebo ‘KATE’ brand commercial featuring Ayanami Rei – She was also in charge of the direction and filming.
YONEYAMA’s art career is in full swing, having held her first solo art exhibition “SHE” in 2019, followed by “EGO” in 2021.
You can feel the emotion and movement in her works, boosted by her experiences as an animator. There is often influenced of Japan and Asia in her art, adding even more depth.
“00: 00: 00: 00” (Sequence) is a collective piece formed of 16 works, with each individual piece flowing as one when put together. The word “sequence” is a term often used in the movie and animation industry to refer to a collection of scenes that can be combined to create one story. In regards to the title, YONEYAMA commented on the meaning of the title, saying “Sequences exist at any moment, for every person including myself. Each moment within that sequence is like it’s own piece of art.” Regarding the artwork concept, she said that “For me, drawing for animation reminds me of the preciousness of each single moment. I expand a single moment to create each frame, repeating this countless times. I love how each moment interacts with one another, creating a flow of moment when played back and forth, so I turned it into an art piece.
The word is based on 16 flowers and their meanings, with the drawing of a girl placed on top of each flower. You can see the technique and perspective learned from YONEYAMA’s experience in animation have been applied to each piece, conveying minute details such as breathing, emotions, outlook, and the space around the character, confirming the idea that “Animators are people who can create life.” As you follow the flowers using the language of flowers, the character leaves her innocence as a freesia, gradually changing into the embodiment of a lily, pure but dignified. Each eye-catching piece has been drawn one by one, perfectly capturing the flower meanings and conveying both cuteness and beauty. With all 16 pieces displayed together, the full artwork will impress any viewer.
“00:00:00:00” could be said to symbolize MAI YONEYAMA, and has attracted a huge amount of interest, even capturing the attention of Dimitri Ozerkov’s team. Dimitri Ozerkov is a Russian art historian and curator who has been responsible for the contemporary art department of the Hermitage Museum since 2007. He is a member of START.art, a group formed of curators from around the world, and is also in charge of the Hermitage 20/21 Contemporary Art Project, which collects and exhibits contemporary art in traditional museums around the world. As the curator for such a prestigious museum, the works collected by him to be displayed at the ‘START ART FAIR 2021’ are highly anticipated.
Impressively, rather than being proud, the humble YONEYAMA is grateful to her predecessors for allowing her to get this far, but she has announced that her goal is “To move people’s hearts as herself.”
Turning art into words, she communicates through her artwork, transcending time and language.
Be sure to pay attention to what animator and illustrator MAI YONEYAMA does next!
©MAI YONEYAMA
Information
START ART FAIR 2021
MAI YONEYAMA: https://www.maiyoneyama.art
Official Site: https://startartfair.com/
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Illustrator BEY to Hold ‘NEW WAMERICAN’ Solo Exhibition at TRUNK (HOTEL) Starting November 1
Illustrator BEY’s solo exhibition ‘NEW WAMERICAN’ will be held at TRUNK (HOTEL) in Shibuya starting November 1.
BEY is known for his illustrations inspired by the ‘Wamerican’ theme, a blend of Japanese culture, including ukiyo-e, and American pop culture. Currently, he is attracting attention as an up-and-coming creator who also works on CD jackets for artists and window art for apparel brands.
Canvas works newly painted for the exhibition will be exhibited and sold, and new merchandise such as teacups and Palo Santo with limited edition packaging will be available.
[Comment from BEY]
“I hope to approach this exhibition as the first of its kind to showcase the new expressions of ‘WAMERICAN,’ a style which has continued to evolve over the past seven years, with a focus on original paintings on canvas. I hope tons of people will come to visit!”Information
BEY SOLO EXHIBITION ‘NEW WAMERICAN’
Dates: November 1 ~ November 4, 2024
Hours: 10:00~20:00
Venue: TRUNK (HOTEL) CATSTREET
5-31 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo[Reception Party]
Date: November 1, 2024
Hours: 19:00~24:00
Admission: Free
DJs: Yuuna Yabe / 50minimals[GOODS]
・L/S TEE
・Hat
・Hand Towel
・Hanafuda Playing Cards
・Teacup Mug
・Original Palo Santo
・StickersBEY’s Instagram:@beytaro_0912
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Hikari Shibata to Open Photo Exhibition ‘THROUGH THE WINDOW’
25.August.2023 | FASHION
Model, DJ, and photographer Hikari Shibata will hold her first photo exhibition in five years, THROUGH THE WINDOW, at the FLOAT Gallery in Tokyo for four days starting September 8, 2023.
The exhibition’s title was inspired by Shibata’s shyness, which has always led her to photograph landscapes rather than people. Many photos were taken through windows, and both the view and reflections are meaningful and personal to Shibata herself.
This year’s exhibition features photos of daily life taken in Copenhagen, Denmark’s largest city, where Shibata stayed for a total of three weeks in March 2023. It will also feature photographs snapped in Berlin, Los Angeles, and New York City.
Shibata will visit the gallery in person to present her creations. In addition to the sale of exhibited photographs, guests will also be able to purchase T-shirts, hats, and Shibata’s first photobook, the latter of which is available in limited quantities. The self-published 112-page hardcover book was entirely designed by Shibata herself. T-shirts will be available in two colors and feature the title of the exhibition, while hats will come in three colors with an embroidered graphic image of the sun reflected in a window.
Information
THROUGH THE WINDOW (Hikari Shibata Photo Exhibition)
Running: September 8-11, 2023 / 13:00-20:00
Venue: FLOAT (3-1-9 Megurohoncho, Meguro-ku, Tokyo)
*Please be aware that admission may be restricted in the event of crowding.[Profile]
Hikari Shibata
Born in Kanagawa in 1997, Shibata is a model, DJ, and fashion director, known for sharing her life and unique fashion sense on social media. Her interest in photography dates to her high school days, and along with her work in Japan and abroad, she’s handled visuals for apparel brands and CD jackets. This will be her fourth photo exhibition.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peepinsidehead5862
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shibatahikari/
PEEP INSIDE HEAD: https://peepinsidehead.com/ -
Natsumi Sato’s “peloringirl series,” featuring girls sticking out their tongues in vivid pop colors with a 90s feel, has become increasingly popular. On June 2, the artist opened a new solo exhibition at A.F GALLERY in Harajuku.
In addition to many of her past creations, visitors will also be able to see newly drawn works created especially for the exhibition, as well as works from the recently released NFT project City Pop TOKYO, for which Natsumi Sato acted as the character designer.
Sato is planning on holding exhibitions in Fukuoka and Osaka in the future.
Information
Natsumi Sato Solo Exhibition TOKYO
Running: June 2 – June 16, 2023
Venue: A.F GALLERY (Tokyo)
Hours: 12:00-18:00
Admission: Free■A.F GALLERY
Address: ASOBIFACTORY 1F (3-21-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/SsAJpwcTR3Z77bux8■Natsumi Sato Gallery Visits
June 2 – June 4
June 10 – June 11 -
teamLab Forest Fukuoka to Introduce Spring Sakura Theme for a Limited Time
07.March.2023 | SPOT
Starting March 4, the permanent museum teamLab Forest Fukuoka will transform its artwork into a stunning spring theme. Guests will be able to enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms for a limited time, and starting March 24, the Catching and Collecting Forest will also be transformed in the same way.
TeamLab’s works are created in real time by procedural generation, meaning that they are always changing and evolving. Each work changes depending on the season.
▼Starting March 4
Both Shifting Valley, Living Creatures of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives – A Whole Year per Year and Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives II – A Whole Year per Year are only available to see during spring. Come and see animals made entirely of cherry blossoms as they roam through the museum!
The work titled Soft Terrain in Granular Topography shows multicolored grains of light pouring from the sky, while Flutter of Butterflies, Ephemeral Life surrounds visitors with brightly colored butterflies
▼Starting March 24
In the Catching and Collecting Forest, visitors can explore with their smartphones and catch various animals made entirely of cherry blossoms.
Information
teamLab Forest Fukuoka – SBI SECURITIES Co., Ltd.
Venue: BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA 5F, Next to Fukuoka PayPal Dome
Address: 2-2-6 Jigyohama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official Site: http://forest.teamlab.art -
Next Generation Creative Girls’ Collective bala Kicks off New Activities
The Tokyo-based girl artists and creators’ collective bala has finally launched for real! The group will release its first single barla on March 8.
bala consists of MANON, SUNNY ONLY 1, DAN, and KANO, each with their own global background. The project aims to resonate with Gen Z youth culture and to be a collective of artists that connects hybrid Japanese pop culture with audiences around the world.
The debut song barla was produced by Shinichi Osawa, who has numerous hits under the name Mondo Grosso. It was co-written by Kenmochi Hidefumi from Wednesday Campanella. With Y2K culture making a comeback around the world, the track features the house sound popular in the late 90s which is showing signs of becoming the next musical trend yet again. The groovy dance tune is a perfect theme song for these girls who will lead the next generation of pop culture.
<Comment from Shinichi Osawa>
“I’m honored to be involved in bala’s debut. The members are super unique, and collaborating with Kenmochi-san for the first time was a dream come true.”<Comment from Kenmochi Hidefumi>
“I’m happy to be able to work with the members of bala and Shinichi Osawa. Everyone is so uniquely talented, and this song is filled with everyone’s energy and excitement inspired by their long-awaited debut!”Information
bala 1st Single「barla」
配信日:2023年3月8日(水)
配信URL:https://orcd.co/barla
【About bala】
東京を拠点に活動するガールズ・アーティストとクリエイターによるコレクティブ・balaは、MANON、SUNNY ONLY1、DAN、KANOの4人からなるクリエイティブ集団。
世界で同時多発的に進行している様々なZ世代ユースカルチャーと共鳴しながら、DNAに組み込まれた日本発のポップカルチャーと融合させたハイブリッドな表現を目指し、グローバルに発信していくことをコンセプトに活動する。
また3Dアバターキャラクター「Barla」を介し、次世代インターネット「WEB 3.0」など、積極的にエッジテックを活用した次世代のクリエイティブにも取り組んでいく。
ポップミュージックのフィールドに限らず、彼女たちの世界観を共有する様々なアーティスト、クリエイターが集うクリエイティヴ・プラットフォームとして機能することで、ポップカルチャーにおける新たなエコシステムへの発展を目指していく。
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@bala_official_japan
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bala_official_japan/
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Matsuzakaya Nagoya to Host Exhibition Honoring Mobile Suit Gundam Animator Kazuhiro Ochi
25.February.2023 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT
©永井豪/ダイナミック企画 ©ダイナミック企画・東映アニメーション ©ダイナミック企画 ©東映アニメーション ©松本零士/零時社・東映アニメーション
From March 21 until April 5, 2023, Matsuzakaya Nagoya will host The World of Super Robot & Hero: Kazuhiro Ochi Art Exhibition, celebrating the creator’s 45th anniversary as an artist. Ochi is well-known for his work on Mobile Suit Gundam and dozens of other popular anime series, from Martian Successor Nadesico to Urusei Yatsura.
Ochi has personally selected over 100 items to be put on display at the exhibition, including illustrations from Mazinger Z and Devilman, both of which are celebrating their 50th anniversaries. Fans can also expect to see illustrations from the newly-announced UFO Robot Grendizer project along with original sketches, promotional materials, and much more.
Available merchandise will include an art book signed by Kazuhiro Ochi himself, prints, and character goods. New Cutie Honey and Cosmic Fantasy products will also be available for purchase.
The animator himself will also be in attendance on select days, so don’t miss this rare opportunity to meet an anime legend!
Guests spending over ¥5,000 (including tax) at the exhibition during days in which Ochi is in attendance will receive an autographed illustration card only available at the Nagoya venue.
Exhibition Merch at a Glance
©Go Nagai/Dynamic Planning Illustration by K.Ochi
©KAZUHIRO OCHI
イラスト/越智一裕 ©永井豪/ダイナミック企画
Information
The World of Super Robot & Hero: Kazuhiro Ochi Art Exhibition
Running: March 21 – April 5, 2023
Hours: 10:00-18:00
Venue: Matsuzakaya Nagoya Main Buiding 7F, Large Event Hall
Details & Merchandise Information: https://edition-88.com/blogs/blog/ochikazuhiro-ten-nagoya_event-info
Purchase Goods: https://edition-88.com/
Kazuhiro Ochi Attendance Schedule
Appearance Dates: March 21, March 25, March 26, April 1, April 2
Hours: 13:00-16:00
*The event will conclude promptly at the listed time.
*The attendance schedule is subject to be changed or canceled depending on various circumstances. -
Hisashi Eguchi’s Illustration Exhibition “Tokyo Girlfriend” Coming to Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, New Works to be Exhibited for the First Time
08.February.2023 | SPOT
From March 14 until April 23, 2023, Tokyo Midtown Hibiya will hold Hisashi Eguchi’s Tokyo Girlfriend illustration exhibition, set to show off the artist’s unique perspectives on people and cityscapes. The exhibition will feature new illustrations of the titular girlfriend standing in the streets of Hibiya drawn especially for this exhibition, as well as various other girlfriends both large and small.
GING NANG BOYZ Kimi to Boku no Dai 3ji Taisen-teki Renai Kakumei CD Jacket (2005)
A LONG VACATION – Eiichi Ohtaki 40th Tribute Illustration (2021) ©2023 Eguchi Hisashi
Hisashi Eguchi, a manga artist and illustrator, continues to convey the charm of the city and its people by vividly depicting Tokyo and the many unique happenings within. As Tokyo Midtown Hibiya celebrates its 5th anniversary along with many other nearby businesses, the Tokyo Girlfriend exhibition of illustrations by Hisashi Eguchi is being held to celebrate.
The exhibition will feature a new painting of the mysterious girlfriend standing in the streets of Hibiya, newly created for the Tokyo Midtown Hibiya exhibition. A number of original pieces using Pantone overlay, Eguchi’s favorite painting medium in the 80s and 90s, will also be on display for the first time.
During the exhibition period, guests can enjoy autograph sessions, live sketches in which Eguchi himself will draw a portrait of selected subject on the spot, and workshops where he will teach tips on how to be a better illustrator.
Don’t miss your chance to meet one of the greatest illustrators of the modern era!
©2023 Eguchi Hisashi
Information
Hisashi Eguchi’s Illustration Exhibition ‘Tokyo Girlfriend’
Running: March 14 – April 23, 2023
Venue: Tokyo Midtown Hibiya
https://www.hibiya.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/ -
CreepHyp to Bring 10th Anniversary Exhibition to Nagoya PARCO
From February 11 to February 26, an exhibition inspired by the popular rock band CreepHyp will be held at the PARCO GALLERY on the 6th floor of the Nagoya PARCO West Building. The event is being held to celebrate the 10th anniversary of CreepHyp.
The exhibition is themed around a ‘Museum of Voices.’
A person’s voice is said to be a true expression of their personality. This exhibition will give fans a new sense of what CreepHyp is and will feature their music, their MC content, and various radio appearances.
Visitors will be able to listen to the member’s voices, but they’ll also be able to step on them, dive into them, look at them, and experience plenty of other ways to enjoy the band’s content. Completely immersed in this world of voices, this experience promises to be like no other. Come experience it while you can!
The exhibition was largely created by CHOCOLATE, the creative team behind CreepHyp’s past exhibitions. Exclusive merchandise will also be available on-site.
Information
Let Creephyp’s Music Rain Down on You like a Shower Exhibition
Running: February 11 – February 26 (15 days) *Closed on February 15
Venue: Nagoya PARCO West Building 6F, PARCO GALLERY
Tickets: https://eplus.jp/creephyp_exhibition/
*Pre-sale ticket lottery begins on January 21 at noon
Details: https://art.parco.jp/parcogallery/detail/?id=1151 -
Macaroni Empitsu 10th Anniversary Exhibition Makes Triumphant Return to Tokyo
Fans of the pop rock band Macaroni Empitsu will want to head to Tokyo from February 17 to March 6, 2023 to enjoy a newly-reworked 10th-anniversary exhibition. Guests are invited to look through various macaroni holes around the exhibition hall to catch glimpses of some curious and rare items only on display for a limited time.
After being held at several locations around Japan, the exhibition will return to Ikebukuro PARCO in Tokyo next month.
Items appearing in the Macaroni Empitsu 10th Anniversary Book -Macaroni Kuronikuru- will be on display, and a short film titled Aspirations will be screened following its premiere in Shibuya.
Graphic designer Shun Sasaki served as the art director for the exhibition.
Fans won’t want to miss out on the exhibition’s original merchandise featuring key visuals and lyrics from the band. Come get a glimpse at the history and personal lives of Macaroni Empitsu’s members while you can!
[Comment from Vocalist Hattori]
“Macaroni Empitsu’s exhibition is making a triumphant return to Tokyo! New content has been added this time around, so be sure to come fall into the macaroni hole!”Information
Macaroni Empitsu 10th Anniversary Exhibition in Tokyo
Running: February 17 – March 6, 2023
Venue: Ikebukuro PARCO 7F / PARCO FACTORY
Hours: 11:00 – 21:00 *Admission permitted up to 30 minutes prior to closing
*Closing at 18:00 on March 6
Admission: ¥500 (Tax Included) *Reservations required. For more information, check parco.art.
*Free for preschool children
Details: https://art.parco.jp/parcomuseum/detail/?id=1147
*Event details are subject to change without notice.
*Hours of operation are subject to change.<Touring Exhibition Information>
Osaka Venue
Umeda LOFT 4F Event Space
Running: January 13 – February 5, 2023■Release
wheel of life EP
Release Date: March 8, 2023
wheel of life EP Special Site: https://macaroniempitsu-wheeloflife.com/■LIVE
TALTO Night 2023
March 3, 2023 / Zepp Haneda
Performers: SAKANAMON / Macaroni Empitsu / Yayuyo / WON
*Opening act plannedOfficial Site: http://macaroniempitsu.com/
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BAPE KIDS®︎ Teams Up with Illustrator Chocomoo on New Kidswear Collection
20.December.2022 | FASHION / Uncategorized
BAPE KIDS®︎ is celebrating its 16th anniversary with a wholesome new collaboration with illustrator Chocomoo! The artist has become popular around the world for his pop style, and this new collection is sure to have kids heading to school in style.
The new items are available for kids of all ages and include everything from T-shirts and sweatshirts to skirts and rompers.
The design also incorporates the classic APE HEAD from A BATHING APE®︎, the popular BABY MILO®︎ character, and Chocomoo’s heart character.
Chocomoo will participate in the special lookbook for this collaboration.
A triple collaboration with the popular zipper bag brand Pake®︎ is also underway. Some of the products will have special Pake®︎ packaging for a limited time.
The Chocomoo collaboration items will be available at authorized BAPE KIDS®︎ stores and the BAPE.COM web store starting December 17, 2022.
Information
BAPE KIDS®︎ × Chocomoo
Release Date: December 17, 2022
Available at BAPE KIDS®︎ stores and the BAPE.com Web Store
Details: https://bape.com/pages/chocomoo
Official Site: http://www.bape.com/
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Chainsaw Man Gets Mini Exhibition at TSUTAYA Locations Nationwide Starting December 23
19.December.2022 | ANIME&GAME
The globally popular anime series Chainsaw Man will get a mini-exhibition at TSUTAYA and TSUTAYA Books locations nationwide from December 23, 2022 until January 22, 2023. A special poster is being prepared for the exhibition and original drawings will be on display. New merchandise will be available during the event period. For more information, follow MAPPA’s official Twitter page (@MAPPA_Info) for updates!
Original Reproductions to be on Display
One original reproduction will be displayed at each of the approximately 300 participating stores.
Original Goods
Details on MAPPA x TSUTAYA Chainsaw Man Mini-Exhibition Goods
Acrylic Keychain (4 varieties), ¥935 each / Pin (4 varieties, random), ¥550 each / Acrylic Figure (4 varieties), ¥1,925 each / Clear Folder (4 varieties), ¥440 each / Leather Sticky Note Book (4 varieties), ¥605 each / Premium Postcard Holder (1 variety), ¥1,760 each / Mobile Accessory Case (1 variety), ¥2,200 each
As a purchase bonus, guests spending ¥2,200 (including tax) or more will receive a limited edition postcard (4 varieties).
©藤本タツキ/集英社・ MAPPA
Information
Chainsaw Man Mini-Exhibition
Running: December 23, 2022 – January 22, 2023
Venue: TSUTAYA locations nationwide, TSUTAYA Books (participating locations only) *See the website for list of stores.
Special Website: https://tsutaya.tsite.jp/article/animation/481.html
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Snoopy Museum to Open Tasty Exhibition Titled ‘What’s Your Favorite Food?’
16.December.2022 | FASHION
Following the conclusion of the current ‘Little Best Friend Woodstock’ exhibition, the Snoopy Museum will hold a food-centric event from January 14 until July 9, 2023!
Selected Works on Display
Peanuts Comic (January 20, 1991)
Peanuts Comic (September 6, 1988)
Peanuts Comic (February 7, 1988)
Peanuts Comic (September 14, 1954)
Peanuts Comic (March 27, 1986)
Peanuts Reprint (Partial / January 13, 1973)
Goods at a Glance
Approximately 40 rare original drawings of Snoopy and his friends will appear at the exhibition, all focused on the character’s favorite foods. Food features prominently in the Peanuts comic strip, whether it be friends eating breakfast or school lunch.
The exhibition features items from the collection at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California.
Snoopy loves to eat and loves doughnuts and marshmallows, but absolutely hates coconuts. Of course, the gang loves cookies, and eating lunch while chatting is the highlight of the day! Come enjoy this tasty event in 2023.
(C) Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Information
Snoopy Museum Exhibition – What’s Your Favorite Food? ~Food in PEANUTS~
Running: January 14 – July 9, 2023
Closed on Tuesday, February 21 (Open every other day of the exhibition period)
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Last entry at 17:30)
Official Site: https://www.snoopy.co.jp/