Report: 'AKASHIC RECORDS 2.5' at ART FAIR TOKYO 2022 | MEDICOM TOY

First Exhibition at 'ART FAIR TOKYO 2022'

ART FAIR TOKYO 2022 was held from Friday, March 11 to Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Tokyo International Forum Hall E and Lobby Gallery. This year's theme was 'Art, art, ART.' How do artists capture and express the increasingly diversifying world? The art fair, one of Japan's largest, with participation from 150 galleries (excluding corporate and organizational exhibitors) from Japan and abroad, concluded successfully over three days. Despite being held amidst the pandemic, it recorded a total of 43,390 visitors, a result that vividly demonstrates the maturity of the domestic art market.

Text by SHINNO Kunihiko｜Edit by TOMIYAMA Eizaburo

MEDICOM TOY: Both a Newcomer and a Pioneer

Since the fall of 2020, MEDICOM TOY has held its annual pop-up event 'AKASHIC RECORDS,' exhibiting and selling works selected by President and CEO Tatsuhiko Akashi from artists, brands, and content creators worldwide. It has garnered significant attention as a cultural exchange hub transcending the boundaries of art, toys, and fashion.

This year, 'AKASHIC RECORDS' made its debut at ART FAIR TOKYO. The art pieces gathered at the booth, titled 'AKASHIC RECORDS 2.5,' undoubtedly left a strong impression on art collectors who had not previously engaged with toys or figures, or street culture. Simultaneously, it has perhaps further clarified MEDICOM TOY's position within the context of contemporary art.

'AKASHIC RECORDS 2.5' AT ART FAIR TOKYO 2022 Report | MEDICOM TOY

Tatsuhiko Akashi commented on his unique position, being called a pioneer by some while also being a newcomer, stating, 'I feel like I'm in a peculiar position.'

For example, the products born from the joint project 'OriginalFake' with graphic artist KAWS, launched in 2006, have become a mainstream element in contemporary art today. Furthermore, participation in 'DesignerCon,' a cultural event in Anaheim, California, in 2018 as an official partner, was also a catalyst for breaking down the barriers between toys and art.

Although MEDICOM TOY exhibited for the first time at this ART FAIR TOKYO as 'a newcomer in the art domain,' those who have witnessed the seeds the company has sown over the years begin to sprout might have felt, 'Are they finally making a serious move into the art field?'

Regarding this, Akashi explicitly denies it, stating, 'MEDICOM TOY as a whole is not shifting its focus to contemporary art.' He elaborates, 'MEDICOM TOY's core identity remains that of a toy company. We might consider 'AKASHIC RECORDS' as a separate domain for our engagement with contemporary art.' He plans to continue developing edgy items that respect artists' intentions under the private label 'AKASHIC RECORDS.'

NAGNAGNAG, who appeared at ART FAIR TOKYO for the second consecutive year, continues to make waves in the art world with three distinct offerings: '6FT NAGNAGNAG Bioroid,' a further refined version of the progenitor of modern Art Toys, the Bioroid; 'Godzilla (2001) Open Mouth,' with unique hand-painting by the artist on each of the five pieces; and 'NAGNAGNAG TWINS BRONZE STATUE,' exuding presence as an异形 (otherworldly) cast object.

Contemporary artist Rieko Akatsuka exhibited a massive neon work, 'New Akatsuka (EDITION 3),' approximately 2000mm in height. Using Chibita's favorite food, oden, from her father Fujio Akatsuka's iconic work 'Osomatsukun,' as the main motif, she achieved a father-daughter collaboration through this neon art piece. The production was handled by Aoi Neon, a company that preserves the techniques of neon sign craftsmen by regenerating the declining craft of neon tubes as art and creating a new market.
©︎ Rieko Akatsuka (Production: Aoi Neon Co., Ltd.)

Anne Valérie Dupond once again presented her unique, one-off art pieces, 'Anne Valérie Dupond ONE OF KIND BE@RBRICK 1000% (ONE OFF) (EDITION 6).' With each iteration, the BE@RBRICKs gain more expressive depth. Due to their handmade rarity and the element of chance, they are artistic treasures that shine with a unique brilliance for their fortunate owners.
©︎ Anne Valérie Dupond
BE@RBRICK TM & ©︎ 2001-2022 MEDICOM TOY CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

Illustrator Asami Matsumura, known for her retro comic-book style works with the theme 'harmony of nostalgia and novelty,' exhibited three new original drawings centered around her signature character, MARIA.
©︎ ASAMI MATSUMURA

Kazuto Imura, who pursued advanced art expression in graduate school at Tokyo University of the Arts and creates optical works related to vision and perception, presented 'self teleportrait (2 Variation).' With the concept of 'a mirror that does not reflect oneself, a portrait that does not capture oneself,' his work has received high acclaim from the contemporary art world.

Kaori Hinata, the creator of the popular character 'MORRIS' and a figure artist, also active as the director of the Monchhichi brand 'SMAK!,' announced her one-off pieces 'KAORI HINATA ONE-OFF JAM MORRIS (ROSE) / (PISTACHIO) / (ASH),' each approximately 600mm in height. This comes amidst the success of the comic adaptation 'MORRIS ~The Adventures of a Cat with Horns~' by manga artist Kamentotsu.
©︎ KAORI HINATA

Levi Pata, an artist born in California with Native American ancestry, presented three paintings imbued with powerful messages: 'I LIVE NOW,' 'MY CAT,' and 'POETRY.'

The artist unit 'MAMES,' consisting of Kentaro Shirakawa and chami, has become an indispensable part of 'AKASHIC RECORDS.' This time, they presented new drawings and 'MAMES ARTRASH "RiBahhS" BUTTON (Custom Basket A / B / C),' attracting attention with their unique worldview.
©︎ MAMES

KAIJIN's new brand, PHANTOM, presented the soft vinyl figure 'PHANTOM Mimi Kokoru 1 (EDITION 10/100),' which garnered attention not just for its cuteness but also as an art figure.
©︎ KAIJIN

Masami Yamada, familiar to special effects fans, exhibited 'Masami Yamada Works 1 Wild Creek Bigfoot (EDITION 3/10),' a approximately 350mm tall three-dimensional representation of the cryptid known as Wild Creek Bigfoot. Expectations are high for the future development of Masami Yamada's works.

Contemporary artist and sculptor Ichitaro Suzuki (ZEROTARO) exhibited 'ZEROTARO MONA LISA OVERDRIVE 3D OBJECT (EDITION 1),' a 3D pixel art rendition of Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa.' The actual piece, viewed from an angle, resembles a valley diorama, exuding a presence that feels larger than its dimensions of approximately H770mm x W530mm x D300mm. Its status as an officially licensed 'authentic fake' by the Louvre Museum offers a witty critical approach to da Vinci's works, which are often subject to forgery.
©︎ ZEROTARO

At the venue, Akashi himself curated and exhibited works from artists, brands, and content creators worldwide, which were also offered via lottery sale online globally, generating significant buzz. Additionally, sneak previews were available for visitors of the commemorative products for the concept store 'MEDICOM TOY PLUS NAGOYA,' set to open on April 23rd (Saturday) on the 1st floor of Nagoya PARCO West Building (3-29-1 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture).

The next 'AKASHIC RECORDS 3' is scheduled for this autumn. Details will be announced as they are finalized, so please look forward to it.

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