Haruki Kiyama, an actor active in both the US and Japan, and a multidisciplinary artist. We spoke with him about the reasons and background behind his genre-defying creative activities, his thoughts on art, and his collaboration with MEDICOM TOY, the "BE@RBRICK POPCORN BE@R 400%."

Haruki Kiyama is an actor based in the US and Japan, known for his roles in Japanese dance, hip-hop, ballet, Latin dance, and more. He gained significant attention for his portrayal of "Tomoe Naginata" in the musical "Touken Ranbu: The Resonance of the End and the Beginning of the Sound" in 2018, and also appeared on NHK's "Kohaku Uta Gassen" that same year. A man of many talents, he is also active in oil painting and digital art. In September 2022, he held his first solo exhibition at DRELLA Art Gallery in Daikanyama, featuring works inspired by teddy bears, which garnered considerable acclaim.
This collaboration brings together Kiyama, known for his teddy bear art, and MEDICOM TOY's BE@RBRICK. The "POPCORN BE@R" is a meticulously crafted model that brilliantly reimagines delicious, butter-drenched popcorn. To celebrate the release of this item, which is drawing attention from BE@RBRICK collectors worldwide, we sat down with Kiyama to discuss the origins of his creative journey and the inspiration behind his work.

Haruki Kiyama
Born January 10, 1985, in Tokyo. Affiliated with DRELLA. Born to Nihon Buyo dancer Hanayagi Isaburo and ballerina Kayoko Koyama, Kiyama grew up in a household immersed in the arts, with both parents being stage performers. From a young age, he received gifted education in Nihon Buyo, ballet, and oil painting. At 14, he moved to the US alone to attend Westtown School, graduating from high school there. He enrolled in the Philadelphia University of the Arts to study graphic design and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Performing Arts. He made his Broadway debut as the first Japanese performer in the globally popular illusion show "The Illusionists." Currently, he is active as a multidisciplinary artist, presenting his oil and digital art, and as a stage actor in popular musicals such as "Touken Ranbu." His first solo exhibition in September 2022 at DRELLA Art Gallery in Daikanyama featured numerous newly revealed works, including teddy bear oil paintings and digital art, all of which sold out.
Haruki Kiyama OfficialInstagram
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DRELLA Art Galleryhttps://www.drella.art
DRELLA Artists Agencyhttps://www.drella.agency/

You are active as a multidisciplinary artist, not only as a stage actor but also as the designer of your apparel brand "ASCENDED." Could you please tell us about the origins of your creative activities?

KiyamanGrowing up in a household where both parents were stage performers, I've always loved expressing myself. Outputting my thoughts and ideas through painting and physical expression brought me joy, and eventually, seeing others appreciate it became my reason for living. As a child, I loved the worlds of Van Gogh and Dalí and would copy their works. Monet's sense of color also captivated me. In contemporary art, Yayoi Kusama's design aesthetic has been influential. Wanting to learn more about art, I enrolled in Philadelphia University of the Arts for graphic design, where I also studied ballet, dance, and acting, eventually earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts.

After graduation, I continued to work in graphic design while appearing in Broadway productions and other shows in the US. Upon returning to Japan, I launched my own teddy bear brand while simultaneously appearing in musicals, stage plays, and films.

What inspired you to start creating teddy bear art?

KiyamanIn America, where I spent my youth, teddy bears were beloved by everyone, from young children to adults. During my time studying abroad alone, teddy bears always gave me energy and courage, pushed me forward, and made me smile. Naturally, they became the stars of my designs.

At the heart of my work is the message, "Free your mind and live freely." A child's mind is pure and free, possessing the power to imagine and create. And all adults were once children. I would be delighted if my work resonates with the "inner child" within those who see it, helping them remember something important they may have forgotten.

Could you tell us about the art materials and digital tools you use in your creative process?

KiyamanMy work primarily involves oil painting, acrylics, and airbrushing. For digital tools, I use Procreate.

For your first solo exhibition "KIYAMA HARUKI Solo Exhibition - HELLO my name is" (September 23 - October 2, 2022) at DRELLA Art Gallery in Daikanyama, Tokyo, and "505 I Found" (September 29 - October 9, 2023), what were the concepts behind the works you created for each?

KiyamanFor my first solo exhibition, "HELLO my name is," it was a "nice to meet you" as the artist Haruki Kiyama. The main visual featured a teddy bear named "DDY" wearing a name sticker, like those worn at company entrance ceremonies or parties in America. On stage, there's a physical distance between the performers and the audience, so it was a joy to be able to speak with each visitor directly about my work in the gallery. People expressed their delight, saying it felt like visiting a spa because it was so relaxing and brought smiles to their faces. Many returned multiple times during the exhibition.

"505 I Found" was held a year after my first solo exhibition. After the previous exhibition, I reflected on my growth as an artist and continued the process of discovering my own potential, so this time the theme was "finding." While "404 not found" is an error message displayed when a webpage cannot be found, I wanted to find light beyond the errors in a chaotic world. Thus, I named it "505 I Found," combining wordplay with the auspicious angel number.

Most of the works are hand-painted. Abstract paintings inspired by "Karesansui," the traditional Japanese garden style that expresses mountains and water using rocks and sand without water, have been added as a newly discovered style. I've become able to expose my inner self more, and the number of art collectors has also increased. Visitors have told me that coming here now helps to center their minds, like visiting a shrine (laughs).

What were your impressions of BE@RBRICK before this collaboration? Do you have any favorite models?

KiyamanWhen I lived in New York, I often saw BE@RBRICK displayed in stylish shops. I believe BE@RBRICK is a genius at making people happy. Collaborating with them has been a long-held dream of mine. My favorite models are from the painting collection. I'm interested in collecting works by Van Gogh. I also love the "Rosetta Stone" project with the British Museum in London.

How did this collaboration with BE@RBRICK, which holds such significance for you, come about?

KiyamanThe name of my current contemporary art gallery, "DRELLA," is a coined word combining the polar opposites of yin and yang, "Dracula" and "Cinderella." It was also a nickname used as a joke among Andy Warhol's circle. The idea for this collaboration began when I heard talk of wanting to create a "Yin-Yang themed BE@RBRICK, the DRELLA collection." I was given paper to sketch designs, and even though nothing was decided yet, I was so happy and excited that a design came to me instantly, and I sent it back the same day.
Strangely enough, President Akashi of MEDICOM TOY gave me his approval on that very first submission and said, "Let's do it." After that, we had meetings for over half a year, and I was kept in suspense until I actually saw the finished product (laughs).

The "POPCORN BE@R" features a popcorn-themed design. What inspired this concept?

KiyamanFirst, I personally love popcorn. Popcorn is always present in happy places: movie theaters, amusement parks, concerts, events. And although its preparation is simple, its very existence can be seen as a symbol of transformation. In the darkness, a small seed containing yin and yang energy expands and explodes when exposed to heat. This process is like a small Big Bang, and the relationship between the seed and heat is akin to the relationship between people and their environment. I felt it was a fitting motif for the DRELLA collection, which explores the theme of yin and yang.

During the creation process, I allowed myself to freely play and liberate my mind. Because I love teddy bears, I sometimes saw popcorn as resembling a bear's face. This led to the oil painting "Popcorn Prince," depicting a popcorn with a bear's face. I then translated this painting into the BE@RBRICK design, using the legs to represent a box, filling the body with popcorn that has a bear's face, and finishing it with the idea of wanting to "drench it in butter!" – a direct expression of my own uninhibited inner child.

What aspects did you focus on particularly during the creation process?

KiyamanI wanted to create a BE@RBRICK that, like popcorn seen at a movie theater or concert, naturally makes you want it. I wanted it to have an appeal and presence that, if I saw it in a store, would make me instinctively want to buy it. I aimed for colors that evoke the scent of melted butter, the appearance of being drenched in butter from head to toe, and the popcorn with bear faces stuffed inside its body. To bring these elements to life, I received immense support from President Akashi and the entire MEDICOM TOY staff.

What were your feelings when you saw the completed "POPCORN BE@R"?

KiyamanI was overwhelmed with emotion; I cried! They recreated my initial sketch exactly as I had envisioned it. I am truly grateful to everyone involved in this project.
Within each person lies infinite potential, and those seeds transform through various encounters, eventually blossoming. Through my encounter with everyone at MEDICOM TOY, I was able to fulfill one of my dreams. I hope that everyone who sees the "POPCORN BE@R" will feel and believe in the inner child and infinite possibilities within themselves.

The "BE@RBRICK POPCORN BE@R 400%" was exhibited at "MEDICOM TOY EXHIBITION 23'" in July and at your solo exhibition "505 I Found," and I imagine you've received a lot of feedback. Are there any particular reactions that stand out?

KiyamanI received many positive comments, such as "It's fun just to look at," "It gives me energy," and "I want to keep it by my side." Knowing that people are experiencing the same feelings from my work that I felt from teddy bears during my time studying in America made me incredibly happy.

If you were to create another BE@RBRICK in the future, what would you like to make?

KiyamanIt was a coincidence, but the pants of the "POPCORN BE@R" have the color scheme of the Japanese flag. I'd like to create versions with pants in the colors of national flags from around the world. Also, I'd love to drench it in strawberry butter, chocolate butter, and various other sauces (laughs).

Finally, could you tell us about your upcoming activities, such as stage performances and solo exhibitions?

KiyamanA new solo exhibition is scheduled for January 2024. I will share details regarding the venue and other information once they are finalized. For stage performances, I will be appearing in "Shinru Himaru Ori-jinaru Musical: Nagasare-ru Kimi e ~Ashikaga Takauji Daihenki~" (Meijiza Theatre) from December 28-31, 2023, and "HIGHCARD the STAGE -CRACK A HAND-" (Theatre 1010) from January 19-29, 2024. Additionally, the "Mahoutsukai no Yakusoku -Etude Series-" stage play and the "Mahoutsukai no Yakusoku Orchestra Concert" are scheduled for 2024. Please look forward to them.

BE@RBRICK POPCORN BE@R 400%
Designed by Haruki Kiyama
Size | Approx. 280mm (Height)
Release Date | Advance sales at DRELLA Art Gallery on December 17th, scheduled release at MEDICOM TOY PLUS on December 23rd (for details, please check theBlog).
Price | ¥22,000 (incl. tax)
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