Get to the essence of Kawaii! Sebastian Masuda’s solo exhibition is currently being held. A special webinar will be held in September *Asobi System Co., Ltd.*
Press release: September 14, 2024
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Get to the essence of Kawaii! Sebastian Masuda’s solo exhibition is currently being held. A special webinar will be held in September Sebastian Masuda’s solo exhibition “Yes, KAWAII Is Art -EXPRESS” Since opening in May, “Yourself” has attracted not only art fans but also those who are experiencing kawaii culture for the first time, as well as visitors from a wide range of age groups. This exhibition, which redefines the worldwide Kawaii culture as contemporary art, will be held at Japan House in Los Angeles.
It’s being held in Los Angeles. Furthermore, we have decided to hold a special webinar in September and an artist gallery tour in October where Sebastian Masuda himself will explain the exhibition.
(C) JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles
Webinar “Power of Color | Exploring Japanese Colors with Sebastian Masuda” held!
From 18:00 (LA local time) on Tuesday, September 24th, Sebastian Masuda and ArtCenter College of
Online webinar “Power of Color | Exploring Japanese Colors” by Design Professor James Meraz
with Sebastian
Masuda” will be held. Did Sebastian Masuda’s unique colors have roots in Japanese tradition? With the theme of “the power of color,” the artist will explain in his own words the relationship between Japanese tradition and kawaii, and the true meaning behind the colorful colors that are synonymous with Sebastian Masuda. This project, which can be participated online from all over the world, provides an interactive experience.
・ Date and time: September 24, 2024 (Tuesday) 18:00 LA local time *September 25, 2024 (Wednesday) 10:00 Japan time
・ How to participate: Online event using Zoom (advance registration required) ・Participation fee: Free
・Click here for details and registration:
https://www.japanhousela.com/events/kawaii-dialogue-exploring-japanese-colors-design-with-sebastian-masuda-artcenter-james-meraz/
“Artist Tour” will be held where the artist himself will explain the exhibition On October 12th (Saturday), artist Sebastian Masuda will introduce the exhibition in person.
It has also been decided that a tour will be held. From the history of Kawaii to the present day, the artist himself will explain the background behind the birth of each work and the thoughts put into it. The tour will be held twice, from 11:00 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m., with a limited number of participants each. Advance reservations are required for both.
・ Date and time: October 12, 2024 (Sat) 11:00~, 13:00~ PDT
・ How to participate: At Japan House LA (advance registration required) ・Participation fee: Free
・Click here for details and registration:
https://www.japanhousela.com/events/yes-kawaii-is-art-plush-toy-drive-sebastian-masuda-ucla-mattel-chase-child-life-program/
“Stuffed animal donation drive” is underway! Participation possible until November
In this exhibition, Japan House
Los Angeles and UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital have partnered to hold a “stuffed animal donation drive” since May. The donated stuffed animals will be delivered to children receiving treatment in hospitals, and the healing power of Kawaii will bring smiles to their faces. Donations will be accepted until November 3, 2024 during the exhibition period.
You can participate through a special box installed at Japan House Los Angeles.
Deadline for donation reception: Sunday, November 3, 2024
Click here for details:
https://www.japanhousela.com/events/yes-kawaii-is-art-plush-toy-drive-sebastian-masuda-ucla-mattel-chase-child-life-program/
A wide range of visitors sympathize with Kawaii art! Great response on SNS
It has been about four months since the solo exhibition started, and in addition to art fans and influencers, people from a wide range of generations, including people who have never experienced Kawaii culture before, are visiting the venue. Visitors who sympathized with the new self-expression through the exhibition and the deep meaning of Kawaii art are spreading the word on social media using the hashtag #YesKawaiiIsArt.
“Yes, KAWAII Is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-” Exhibition Overview
・Date: ~November 3, 2024 (Sunday)
・Time: Monday to Friday 11am to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 8pm ・ Location: JAPAN HOUSE Gallery, Level 2
・Address: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angels, CA 90028
・Admission fee: Free
・ https://www.japanhousela.com
*Sebastian Masuda Profile*
Born in 1970. Lives in New York. He has been involved in theater and contemporary art since the early 1990s, and in 1995 opened the shop “6%DOKIDOKI” as a place for expression. With a consistent and unique sense of color, he creates works that transcend the boundaries of art, fashion, and entertainment.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu “PONPONPON” MV art, KAWAII MONSTER
Create opportunities for Kawaii culture to be known around the world, such as by producing CAFE. 2017
Cultural Envoy of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Visiting Researcher at New York University in 2018, Newsweek Japan in 2019
100 Japanese people respected by the world. In 2023, New York’s sushi restaurant “SUSHIDELIC”, for which he provided creative direction, won the Grand Prix in the project category of the “CJPF Award 2024” sponsored by the Cabinet Office.
https://sebastianmasuda.com/
* Japan House Los Angeles (JHLA) *
Japan House is a project organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in three cities around the world (Los Angeles, London, This is an external communication base established in Sao Paulo. We encourage new discoveries and experience the best of Japan through a wide range of themes such as art, crafts, design, architecture, science and technology, pop culture, and food culture.
Japan House LA is based on two floors within Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland), with the second floor space featuring an exhibition gallery that focuses on Japanese creativity and a selection of products from all over Japan. A “WAZA” shop has been set up to do so. The 5th floor space includes the Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant “UKA,” the multipurpose hall “Salon,” and a relaxing library, offering panoramic views of Hollywood and Los Angeles.
Official homepage: https://www.japanhousela.com