Works by Kaikai Kiki Artist Chinatsu Ban

Check out these cool paintings done by Chinatsu Ban of Kaikai Kiki. They are painted over newspaper articles related to the disaster in Japan. Just as these wonderful paintings could not exist without the news and images of the disaster in Japan, compassion could not exist without suffering.

I think you will find these truly uplifting, optimistic and inspiring.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)2011 Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)Chinatsu Ban/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

More Works from Soichiro Fukaya

Soichiro Fukaya, "Denko Chan" 2011

Soichiro Fukaya, "Denko Chan" 2011

These two images submitted via Twitter by @soichirofukaya depict “Denko Chan.” Her name, ‘Denko’ refers to electricity and the Japanese suffix ‘chan’ is a diminutive label that expresses endearment for the aforementioned individual, frequently used when referencing youthful women. Denko chan with her light, therefore, can be interpreted as a glowing symbol of hope for healing and recovery in Japan. However, the reference to TEPCO (Tokyo Electrical Power Company), whose nuclear generators suffered meltdowns, hydrogen explosions, and fires due to a lack of power after the Tohoku/Pacific earthquake and tsunami, gives the image a much darker meaning.

 

From Soichiro Fukaya

Check out this super cool artwork submitted by@soichirofukaya

“Eco Eco Rangers Earth Force” by Takashi Murakami

Takashi Murakami submitted the following image to the New Day project on Twitter:

Takashi Murakami, "Eco Eco Rangers Earth Force" (c)2005 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

This image was created in 2005 for the show “Little Boy: The Arts of Japan’s Exploding Subculture,” curated by Murakami at the Japan Society in New York. It was used as a banner to advertise for the show. Below is a photograph of the banner, courtesy of MocoLoco.

Photograph of the "LIttle Boy" banner

The exhibition got its title from the code name for the atomic bomb dropped over Hiroshima, Japan by the United States Military at the end of World War II, resulting in a large mushroom cloud, two of which are depicted in this work. These references to radioactive fallout have again become relevant with the explosion at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. To read more about this click here.

The concept behind this piece is based on the idea of  “Rangers” or superheroes that fly around to fight the destruction of the world. While the characters are kawaii (that means cute in Japanese) and appear to be positive and friendly with their large smiles, they simply float around, accomplishing little in the way of protecting the environment from the ominous mushroom clouds. They are completely unable to alter reality, and simply wear their indifferent, empty smiles, blissfully unaware of their failure . It is up to humans like us (not ‘Rangers’) to offer our support to Japan in these turbulent times.

From Teriha Yaegashi

Check out this gorgeous photograph submitted by @teri_tree via twitter!!!

Teriha Yaegashi, 2011

Thank you Teriha!

The Price Collection Creates Charity Skateboards for Japan!!!

Etsuko and Joe Price are known for their premier collection of Japanese Edo Period painting. Recently, The Prices created limited edition skateboard decks featuring some their favorite works from Edo Period Japan.

These sugoi(that’s Japanese for awesome/cool) skateboards will be limited to editions of 50 and all proceeds from their sale will go to help victims of the recent natural disasters in Japan through GlobalGiving.

From Left to Right: Ito Jakuchu's "Elephant", Katsu Jagyoku's "Crow in Snow", Mori Sosen's "Monkey and Wasp", and Katayama Yokoku's "Tiger." All images courtesy of The Price Collection.

The top side of the skateboard deck. All images courtesy of The Price Collection.

The skateboards are available for purchase through the Bowers Museum Gift Shop. However, if you can’t make it to Santa Ana, California, the decks can be purchased from the Bowers Museum website.

We want to thank The Price Collection for supporting a cause we are very passionate about and encourage everyone to “Skate for Japan!”

From Yutori

This painting was submitted via twitter by @obasa_n

Yutori, 2011

From Ryohei Shimazaki

This beautiful print was submitted via twitter by @ryoheishimazaki

Ryohei Shimazaki, 2011

From @goldenmilk

From Inside Takashi Murakami’s New York Studio

(c)2011 Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

(c)2011 Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.