*To watch the video in full screen, please click play and then the YouTube icon on the lower right-hand corner.
Date
09.24.2024 (Tue.)
Time
06:00 PM – 07:15 PM (PDT)
Location
Online
Fee
Free
In connection with the popular “Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-” exhibition at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, we've hosted an exclusive virtual event on the wild world of color featuring exhibition artist and kawaii pioneer Sebastian Masuda. Renowned for his dazzling artworks, Masuda shared how color factors into his artistic process, how it’s a key part of kawaii culture, and how it transcends mere style to become a dynamic language of emotion, identity, and cultural expression.
Masuda’s insights and candid stories took viewers on a journey through the rich history of color in Japan, as he blends these timeless sensibilities with his own innovative spin on tradition. Viewers also learned how he breathes new life into these elements, forging powerful connections between the past and present in his art, and how bold color palettes can expand creativity and resonate emotionally as well as aesthetically.
In addition to the artist Masuda, Professor James Meraz from the ArtCenter College of Design joined as a guest speaker. With his expertise in Spatial Experience Design and a wealth of experience in cultural exchanges with Japanese art and design institutions, Professor Meraz lead an illuminating conversation with Masuda about the cultural significance of color in art across cultures and historical eras.
About the Speakers
Photo by GION
Sebastian Masuda
Masuda began his career in theater and contemporary art in the early 1990s. In 1995, he opened the fashion shop 6%DOKIDOKI which became a platform for artistic expression. Currently working out of both Tokyo and New York, Masuda creates works that transcend the boundaries of art, fashion, and entertainment, showcasing a consistent and unique sense of color. From 2009 to 2011, Masuda conducted the "Harajuku Kawaii Experience" world tour, spreading awareness about the history of Harajuku and ... Read more.
kawaii culture in over 20 cities, with a focus on Europe and the United States. As art director for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's 2011 "PONPONPON" music video, Masuda was pivotal in introducing kawaii culture to the world. In 2015, he created Tokyo's Kawaii Monster Cafe, and in 2023, produced the restaurant SUSHIDELIC in New York, further contributing to the global recognition of kawaii culture. In 2024, he marks his first exhibition where he brings together multiple artworks together through "Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-" at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles.
Photo by Cyrus Froning
Professor James Meraz
James Meraz is a distinguished designer and educator with a career spanning over two decades, marked by his contributions to product design, architecture, spatial and experiential design. Following his graduation from the Southern California Institute of Architecture and his experiences in studying abroad, Meraz has cultivated a diverse portfolio including high-profile projects including showroom design, architectural and interior design for residential and commercial spaces, and large-scale public art ... Read more.
installations including sculptures for Horton Plaza in San Diego and Universal City Walk.
In addition to his professional achievements, Meraz has played a significant role in design education. He is a full-time professor at the Art Center College of Design in the Environmental Design, Product Design, and Industrial Design Foundation departments. Over the years, Meraz has led numerous academic initiatives and workshops, both locally and internationally, including collaborations with institutions such as Tama Art University in Tokyo and the British Columbia Creative Center. His commitment to sustainability is evident in his leadership of the Art Center Eco Research Lab, focusing on sustainable design solutions, which has garnered recognition and awards for his students.
Meraz’s influence extends beyond the classroom through his involvement in significant exhibitions, conferences and workshops, including the Dwell on Design Conference and WantedDesign during New York Design Week. His work and his students’ projects have been featured in prominent publications and have received numerous awards, reflecting his dedication to fostering innovation and ecological responsibility in design.
Topic-Related Reading
A Rainbow of Meaning | Color in Japanese Culture
All cultures and languages have their own lexicons for color, but Japan has one of the widest range of terms for the colors of the world around us. Expanding on common colors, the Japanese language has a set of more than a thousand traditional colors known as dentōshoku. These terms have a vivid poetry of their own, connoting a close relationship with the seasons and environment, as well as serving an important role in cultural and art history, as well as the ways Japanese artisans create and classify their work today.
Read ArticleRelated Exhibition
Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-
*To watch the video in full screen, please click play and then the YouTube icon on the lower right-hand corner.
Dates
05.02.2024 (Thu.) – 11.03.2024 (Sun.)
Hours
Mon. – Fri. | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sat. – Sun. | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location
JAPAN HOUSE Gallery, Level 2
Fee
Free
Media Sponsors
Promotional Partner
