Cast of Characters
Futura
September 24, 2021 – October 14, 2021
GALLERY HOURS :11:00 – 19:00
GALLERY CLOSED：
SUNDAYS, MONDAYS, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
※This exhibition is now concluded.
Thank you to all the many people who stopped by.
※PLEASE NOTE THAT ENTRY MAY BE RESTRICTED IF THE NUMBER OF VISITORS EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY.
Kaikai Kiki Gallery is pleased to announce “Cast of Characters”, Futura’s first solo exhibition with our gallery, opening September 24, 2021.
First known as a pioneering force in the foundational era of graffiti and now regarded as one of the world’s most-exciting contemporary artists, Futura is humbled to be able to exhibit again in Tokyo: his unofficial second home that he respects so deeply. Since 2019, Futura has collaborated with Kaikai Kiki on a number of art fairs, group shows, and print productions—one in collaboration with Takashi Murakami. This time, we are proud to present his first solo exhibition of new works at Kaikai Kiki Gallery.
INNER REALM,2021 ©︎Futura
Whereas the majority of Futura’s work to date features dynamic abstract and geometric compositions, for this exhibition, Futura has produced new works that focus entirely on his universe of stylized characters. The progenitor of Futura’s character lexicon is the “Pointman”, a science-fiction-inspired, otherworldly character. The Pointman serves as the artist’s metaphor for a way of existence that is forward-thinking, and explorative; quite literally a charge to be the point person in creative exploration.
Although Futura’s Pointman character was created in the early 1980s as an adjacent element to his celebrated abstract compositions on canvas, the figure garnered widened visibility on its own after it was featured on a series of album covers from the British record label Mo’ Wax. With its elongated head, protruding ears, pointed limbs, and glaring gaze, it left a powerful impression on those who collected these albums.
Since then, the artist’s character ensemble has evolved to great reception, and has appeared not only on Futura’s canvases, but also in various collaboration projects with the likes of Comme des Garçons, Nike, and Off-White, among others. As such, Futura’s characters have become an iconic symbol not only in art—but also in the fields of fashion and design.
NOGUCHI 30P ONE,2021 ©︎Futura ©︎INFGM/ARS
In “Cast of Characters” we will present a series of works that singularly celebrate Futura’s universe of various out-of-this-world beings. The exhibition will feature 12 works in total, which includes: a large 3-meter painting bustling with Futura’s characters, the artist’s first-ever character-shaped canvases, as well as hand-embellished collaborative AKARI lamps, made in official partnership with the Isamu Noguchi’s Foundation (available for the first time).
We hope you will enjoy Futura’s original characters and his singular touch on artworks. We look forward to welcoming you.
“Arigato Gozaimasu.” – Futura
BROOKLYN CRAB,2021 / REBAR,2021 / GEPPETTO,2021 ©︎Futura
As precautionary measures to help contain the further spread of COVID-19, visitors are asked to wear masks and sanitize their hands before entering the gallery.
(Hand sanitizer is available at the entrance. Visitors without masks will be refused entry.)
Please refrain from visiting the gallery if you have any symptoms such as fever or cough.
Our staff will also adopt frequent hand sanitation and wear masks. The gallery will be routinely ventilated and high-touch areas will be regularly disinfected.
＊Please check our website or Instagram for the latest information regarding opening hours, as the gallery schedule is subject to abrupt change due to unpredictable circumstances.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
