Since its opening in May, Masuda Sebastian’s solo exhibition “Yes, KAWAII Is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-” has attracted not only art fans, but also visitors of all ages, including those experiencing Kawaii culture for the first time. The exhibition, which redefines the global Kawaii culture as contemporary art, is currently being held at Japan House Los Angeles in Los Angeles. In addition, a special webinar will be held in September, and an artist gallery tour in October where Masuda Sebastian himself will explain the exhibition will be held.
Webinar “Power of Color | Exploring Japanese Colors with Sebastian Masuda” held!
An online webinar entitled “Power of Color | Exploring Japanese Colors with Sebastian Masuda” will be held by Sebastian Masuda and Professor James Meraz of ArtCenter College of Design from 6:00 PM (LA local time) on Tuesday, September 24th. Did Sebastian Masuda’s unique use of color have its roots in Japanese tradition? Under the theme of “The Power of Color,” the artist himself will explain the relationship between Japanese tradition and Kawaii, as well as the true meaning behind the colorful colors that are synonymous with Sebastian Masuda. This project, which can be participated in online from all over the world, provides an interactive experience in a dialogue format.
• Date and time: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 18:00 LA local time *Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 10:00 Japan time
• How to participate: Online event via Zoom (pre-registration required)
• Participation fee: Free
• For more details and to register, please click here:https://www.japanhousela.com/events/kawaii-dialogue-exploring-japanese-colors-design-with-sebastian-masuda-artcenter-james-meraz/
“Artist Tour” to be held, with the artist himself explaining the exhibition
On Saturday, October 12th, an “Artist Tour” will be held where artist Sebastian Masuda will personally introduce the exhibition. The artist himself will explain the background of the creation of each piece, from the history of Kawaii to the present, and the thoughts that went into them. The tour will be held twice, from 11:00 and 13:00, with a limited number of people for each tour. Advance reservations are required for both tours.
• Date and time: Saturday, October 12, 2024 11:00-, 13:00- PDT
• How to participate: At Japan House LA (pre-registration required)
• Participation fee: Free
• For more details and to register, please click here:https://www.japanhousela.com/events/yes-kawaii-is-art-plush-toy-drive-sebastian-masuda-ucla-mattel-chase-child-life-program/
“Plush Toy Donation Drive” is now on! You can participate until November
Japan House Los Angeles and UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital have partnered up to hold a stuffed animal donation drive since May. The donated stuffed animals will be delivered to children recuperating in the hospital, bringing smiles to their faces with the healing power of Kawaii. Donations will be accepted during the exhibition period until November 3, 2024.
You can participate through a special booth set up inside Japan House Los Angeles.
Donation deadline: Sunday, November 3, 2024
More details here:https://www.japanhousela.com/events/yes-kawaii-is-art-plush-toy-drive-sebastian-masuda-ucla-mattel-chase-child-life-program/
Kawaii art resonated with a wide range of visitors! Huge response on social media
About four months after the solo exhibition began, in addition to art fans and influencers, people of all ages, including those who have never been exposed to Kawaii culture before, have visited the venue. Visitors who have resonated with the new self-expression and deeper meaning of Kawaii art through the exhibition have also started spreading the topic on social media with the hashtag #YesKawaiiIsArt.
“Yes, KAWAII Is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-” Exhibition Overview
• Date: ~Sunday, November 3, 2024
• Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 11am-8pm
• Location: JAPAN HOUSE Gallery, Level 2
• Address: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Admission fee: Free
• https://www.japanhousela.com
Sebastian Masuda Profile
Born in 1970. Lives in New York. Involved in theater and contemporary art since the early 1990s, opened the shop “6%DOKIDOKI” as a place of expression in 1995. Creates works that transcend the boundaries of art, fashion, and entertainment with a consistent and unique sense of color. Created the art for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s “PONPONPON” music video and produced KAWAII MONSTER CAFE, helping to promote Kawaii culture to the world. 2017 Cultural Envoy for the Agency for Cultural Affairs, 2018 Visiting Researcher at New York University, 2019 Newsweek Japan 100 Most Respected Japanese People in the World. In 2023, the New York sushi restaurant “SUSHIDELIC”, which he creatively directed, won the Grand Prize in the Project Category of the Cabinet Office-sponsored “CJPF Award 2024”.
Japan House Los Angeles (JHLA)
Japan House is an international outreach hub established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in three cities around the world (Los Angeles, London, and Sao Paulo) with the aim of introducing the ever-evolving Japanese culture to the world while continuing to ask the serious yet gentle question, “What is Japan?”. Through a wide range of themes, including art and crafts, design, architecture, science and technology, pop culture, and food culture, visitors are encouraged to make new discoveries and experience the goodness of Japan. Japan House LA is based on two floors of Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland). On the second floor, there is an exhibition gallery that focuses on Japanese creativity and a “WAZA” shop that sells selected products from all over Japan. On the fifth floor, there is a Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant “UKA,” a multi-purpose hall “Salon,” a relaxing library, and a panoramic view of Hollywood and Los Angeles.
Official website:https://www.japanhousela.com
