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Almine Rech

Kawaii

May 21 — Jun 26, 2021 | Shanghai

For the safety of our visitors and staff, masks must be worn by all visitors upon entrance and hand sanitizer will be provided at the door and throughout the gallery. Inquire about the exhibition: inquiries@alminerech.com The gallery is open from 11am until 7pm.

Almine Rech Shanghai is pleased to present Kawaii, a group exhibition on view from May 21 to June 19, 2021.

Kawaii​ (Japanese: かわいいor 可愛い) is the culture of cuteness which has become a symbol of contemporary Japan nation-wide and abroad. The concept stems from the 1970s when young girls started writing, doodling, and creating exaggeratedly cute outfits in order to confront the traditional roles imposed on them. Often translated as “cute” or “super-cute”, the real meaning of Kawaii varies across generations and social groups, signifying the intuitive emotions one experiences induced by cognitive appraisal. Such consequential implication has transformed this adjective into a noun, which then describes an entire subculture present worldwide. Referring to items, humans, and non-humans that evoke sympathy, are lovely, adorable, shy, and/or childlike, Kawaii’s impact can nowadays be seen in entertainment, clothing, food, toys, personal appearance, mannerisms, as well as fashion and visual art. 

The visual art, ​Kawaii, features characters with Western pop culture, the sculptures, paintings, and drawings praised by art critics gained the artist a cult following around globally, both in the world of art collectors and other artists.​ With this exhibition, Almine Rech Shanghai aims to acknowledge this movement. By presenting the works by three artists from different backgrounds or parts of the world, Sun Yitian, Szabolcs Bozó, ​and​ Edgar Plans​, ​the gallery is hoping to provide an insight into present day redefinition of ​Kawaii​ globally. 

- Sasha Bogojev
Writer and Curator

Press release

  • read or download in English

Selected artworks

  • Edgar Plans,                                      I am artist, 2021

    Edgar Plans I am artist, 2021

    Mixed media on wood
    130 x 115 cm (framed)
    51 1/8 x 45 1/4 in (framed)

  • Edgar Plans,                                      Gum boy, 2021

    Edgar Plans Gum boy, 2021

    Mixed media on wood
    130 x 115 cm (framed)
    51 1/8 x 45 1/4 in (framed)

  • Edgar Plans,                                      I am a dreamer, 2021

    Edgar Plans I am a dreamer, 2021

    Mixed media on wood
    130 x 115 cm (framed)
    51 1/8 x 45 1/4 in (framed)

  • Edgar Plans,                                      What ́s my superpower?, 2021

    Edgar Plans What ́s my superpower?, 2021

    Mixed media on wood
    130 x 115 cm (framed)
    51 1/8 x 45 1/4 in (framed)

  • Szabolcs Bozó,                                      Rule of 6, 2021

    Szabolcs Bozó Rule of 6, 2021

    Acrylic, Oil and Oil Stick on Canvas
    162 x 132 cm (framed)
    63 3/4 x 52 in (framed)

  • Szabolcs Bozó,                                      Mr Back To Normal, 2021

    Szabolcs Bozó Mr Back To Normal, 2021

    Acrylic, Oil and Oil stick on Canvas
    162 x 132 cm (framed)
    63 3/4 x 52 in (framed)

  • Szabolcs Bozó,                                      “Untitled”, 2021

    Szabolcs Bozó “Untitled”, 2021

    Oil stick, Marker, Foam and Cigar stick on paper
    37 x 28 x 3.5 cm (framed)
    14 5/8 x 11 1/8 x 1 3/8 in (framed)

  • Szabolcs Bozó,                                      “Untitled”, 2021

    Szabolcs Bozó “Untitled”, 2021

    Oil stick, Marker, Foam and Cigar stick on paper
    37 x 28 x 3.5 cm (framed)
    14 5/8 x 11 1/8 x 1 3/8 in (framed)

  • Szabolcs Bozó,                                      “Untitled”, 2021

    Szabolcs Bozó “Untitled”, 2021

    Oil stick and Marker on paper
    37 x 28 x 3.5 cm (framed)
    14 5/8 x 11 1/8 x 1 3/8 in (framed)

  • Szabolcs Bozó,                                      “Untitled”, 2021

    Szabolcs Bozó “Untitled”, 2021

    Oil Stick and marker on paper
    37 x 28 x 3.5 cm (framed)
    14 5/8 x 11 1/8 x 1 3/8 in (framed)

  • Szabolcs Bozó,                                      “Untitled”, 2021

    Szabolcs Bozó “Untitled”, 2021

    Oil Stick and marker on paper
    37 x 28 x 3.5 cm (framed)
    14 5/8 x 11 1/8 x 1 3/8 in (framed)

  • Sun Yitian,                                      Two Headed Dragon, 2021

    Sun Yitian Two Headed Dragon, 2021

    Acrylic on canvas
    230 x 183 cm / each
    90 1/2 x 72 1/8 in / each

  • Sun Yitian,                                      Ephemeral, 2021

    Sun Yitian Ephemeral, 2021

    Acrylic on wood
    45.5 x 38 cm
    17 7/8 x 15 in (Left)
    65 x 53 cm
    25 5/8 x 20 7/8 in (Right)

  • Sun Yitian,                                      One sided love, 2021

    Sun Yitian One sided love, 2021

    Mixed media, Acrylic on wood
    65 x 53 cm
    25 5/8 x 20 7/8 in (Left)
    50 x 50 cm
    19 3/4 x 19 3/4 in (Right)

Videos

  • Kawaii, Almine Rech Shanghai

Artists