This Cute Japanese Fad Is About To Invade London

Chloe Koura
By Chloe Koura Last edited 92 months ago
This Cute Japanese Fad Is About To Invade London

Some strange characters are rocking up in Camden tomorrow.

Japanese contemporary artist and pop culture expert Sebastian Masuda is bringing his global art project here as part of its journey to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Sebastian Masuda with some of his fans in Paris. Photo by Sophie Tom.

Time After Time Capsule explores the theme of kawaii (it's basically the art of 'being cute') and invites viewers to contribute to the artwork, either by writing kawaii-themed messages, or leaving kawaii objects inside the capsule.

The shape of the capsule is that of Domo, the mascot of television channel NHK World TV with whom Masuda is collaborating.

NHK's mascot Domo.

The interactive workshop and art piece has already been to Miami, Washington DC, New York and Paris (to name a few), and will be in Camden Market before it moves to Hyper Japan in Olympia on Friday.

The time capsules from around the world will then be displayed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and Masuda also intends to show them in 2035, so the world can see how our understanding and interpretation of kawaii has changed.

Meet Sebastian Masuda and his Time After Time Capsule at Camden Market's North Yard 2pm-4pm on 13 July, or at Hyper Japan in Olympia, 16-17 July.

Last Updated 12 July 2016