akalog

The Blue Rose Illustration group show started from June 4th. 3 Blue Rose members from Japan came over to help the opening. The opening went well. Many people came over. thanks so much for coming! The show will be up until 6/17. Please stop by when you are in Midtown.

The Blue Roses Tokyo Exhibition started the other day. My friend and a member of the Blue Roses, Nico, took some pictures for my piece. The illustration title is “Girl and peacock”. Inspired by  Japanese traditional playing card, “Hanafuda”, I made my own contemporary version. If you can visit Tokyo, please check it out!

Blue Roses, illustrators from Japan Present “Kawaii”
Showing in New York City and Tokyo at the same time!

New York Show
June 4 – June 17, 2010
EXCY GALLERY
147 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001
www.excygallery.com
Map

Opening Reception: Friday June 4, 6pm – 9pm

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Tokyo Show
May 31 – June 11, 2010
12G
3-1-25, 2nd FL. Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 106-0031
No opening reception in this show.

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EXCY GALLERY, New York, is pleased to announce the opening of “Kawaii”,
presented by Blue Roses illustrators.

About Kawaii
The concept of “kawaii”, meaning “cute” or “adorable” in Japanese, emerged in the 70s and has become a prominent aspect of pop culture, entertainment, clothing, food, toys, girl’s comic books, personal appearance, behavior and mannerisms. The word can be combined with other words to create a more positive, “sweet” meaning. For example:

kimochi warui (weird) + kawaii = kimokawa (funky)
yurui (soft) + kawaii = yurukawa (lovable)
eroi (erotic) + kawaii = erokawa (hot/sexy)

The popularity of kawaii could be attributed to the ancient Japanese spiritual traditions, which value being considerate and kind toward others.

About “Girls Illustration”
Recently kawaii-style illustrations featuring little girls and women have gained momentum, establishing a new genre that’s commonly referred to as “Girls Illustration”. The name is deceiving, since the style is not simply “cute” and by no means childish. “Girls Illustration” can feature sophisticated themes and appeal to people of all ages.

About Blue Roses
Blue Roses is a group of 18 illustrators and up-and-coming artists who have been creating “Girls Illustration” since 2009. They have taken the genre in unexpected directions introducing innovative elements and unique styles. The first Blue Roses group show in Tokyo, in December 2009, was a huge success, with more than 500 people attending. “Kawaii” will feature 15 members of the group and a special guest who will present their personal interpretations of this fascinating and beautiful concept.

Blue Roses member:
• Kohey Uozumi http://www.lilirura.net/
• Akira Ebihara http://tinytoybox.com/st.html
• Yoshimi OHTANI http://www.funarium.com
• COZ http://www.coz-one.com/
• Xi http://air.xion.cc/
• CNO http://www.spamaro.com/
• sioux http://sioux.jp/
• mamico http://www.romanticagogo.com
• TAMMY http://www.tammy-web.com/
• Dalma-Shoten http://dalma.jp
• Satoko Chiba http://www.chiba-satoko.com/
• Benicco http://www.creatorz.jp/benicco
• yuuiti miyakawa http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~mykw/
• Yoshiko Miyamoto http://miyamon.net/
• yucachin’ http://www.yucachin.com/

Guest artist from New York:
• AKANE KODANI http://akanekodani.com/

For more information for the Blue Roses, please visit
http://www.blue-roses.info/

For more information for the NY exhibition, please contact EXCY GALLERY
info@excygallery.com or 212-695-1888

Best Wishes for 2010!

In this month, it has concept shops in Marui department stores.
I contributed my graphics to Nextidevolution which is a social project organization that will change the concept of “welfare” and connect handicap people through fashion and design aspects.

This year’s concept is mixture. this is one of my graphics that is called “double hearts”
The stores will open until June 21th, 2009 at Shinjuku Marui Honkan 1F, and until June 28th at Yurakucho Marui.
Please check it out if you stop by Tokyo.

I am working on my silk screen prints right now for the group show in the next month…
Here are couple shots at my studio.

Print gocco silkscreen

Red Anthurium

Happy holidays!

Kiku, Japanese Chrysanthemum flowers

Ginkgo leaves