Group Show at Cotton Candy Machine in NY --- July 7th

Hello!I have 3 ceramic pieces for Tara's gallery Cotton Candy Machine. This show is crazy!!!  Please look at the line ups of the artists! They are many many great artists (that I'm a fan of), and do you know what's crazier? All the works will be sold for $100!!! Super Deal!!!

Tiny Trifecta 2nd Annual Group Show: Curated by Tara McPherson July 7th to August 5th, 2012 Opening Event Saturday July 7th, 7 to 11pm Pre Registration begins at 4pm at Cotton Candy Machine Gallery

Featuring THREE tiny pieces of $100 art from each artist! Jessicka Addams, Aiko, Jim Avignon, John Baizley, Shawn Barber, Andrew Bell, Robert Bowen, Jon Burgerman, Zoe Byland, Ciou, Becky Cloonan, David M Cook, Dave Cooper, Dave Correia, Molly Crabapple, Lana Crooks, Steven Daily, Daniel Danger, Tristan Eaton, Camilla d’Errico, Brian Ewing, Natalia Fabia, PJay Fidler, AJ Fosik, Doze Green, Dan Grzeca, Fred Harper, Jason Holley, Thomas Hooper, Jim Houser, Seldon Hunt, Jeremy Hush, Jordin Isip, JK5, James Jean, Jeremyville, Nathan Jurevicius, Aya Kakeda, Audrey Kawasaki, Josh Keyes, Henry Lewis, Lola, David Mack, Jim Mahfood, Sara Antoinette Martin, Dan May, Tara McPherson, Brandi Milne, Junko Mizuno, Buff Monster, Tomi Monstre, Michael Motorcycle, Martin Ontiveros, Alex Pardee, Joshua Petker, London Police, Anthony Pontius, Martha Rich, Jermaine Rogers, Paul Romano, Arik Roper, Jay Ryan, Souther Salazar, Isabel Samaras, Erik Mark Sandberg, Jon Schnepp, Shawnimal, Greg Simkins, Skinner, Bwana, Spoons, Jeff Soto, Timba Smits, Diana Sudyka, Lamour Supreme, Fefe Talavera, Jill Thompson, Miss Van, Adam Wallacavage, Lindsey Way, John Wayshack, Eric White, and Chet Zar.

These are my 3 pieces.

See you in MEXICO!

Hello everyone.My Mexico trip is starting next week!!! 6 months of planning and working with my warm Mexican friends over tons of emails, it's finally coming to reality.

I've been to Mexico twice and I was in love with the country and people there, this is a dream come true projects for me!

My First stop and this trip's sponsor is Amarillo Centro de Diseño June 27th to 30th Stop motion animation workshop June 28th Exhibition "Aya Kakeda works from 2000~2012" opens at http://amarilloespacio.com.mx/

Amarillo Centro de Diseño is a design Center in Xalapa, Mexico which invites both Mexican and  international artists to have workshops and Exhibition. My talented and top illustrator friends Yuko Shimizu, Marcos Chin, and Brian Rea have shown their work here in the past years. I'm honored to be part of this group!  Thank you for inviting me!

Here is some exciting photos that they sent me! they are also painting my characters on their window!!! wowwwww~ I'm excited about what kind of stop motion animation the students will make. I will update you on that soon!

I'm also launching 2 toy lines in Mexico, one is a hand made ceramic figure "Box-kun Mexican version"  and " Hanabi Monster" plush which I collaborated with Mexican Artist TOLOACHE. My Ceramic Toy " Box-kun Mexican version" will be launched on July 6th at SK Sarukaku Toy store in Mexico City.  It's super limited and comes with hand made silkscreen book, I'm only bringing 10 figures.  [vimeo 44558034 w=500 h=375] box-kun mexican version promotional video from aya Kakeda on Vimeo.

Last but not least! On July 13th at Rojo Bermelo store in Monterrey, I'm having an event "Hanabi Monster!" where collaboration plush toy with TOLOACHE and  limited edition silk screen will be launched! Fluffy cuteness!!!! And here is some photos of the limited edition silk screens getting printed for this event! If you are in Mexico, I really hope to see you in one of those events!

Love from New York trying to pack huge mustache in my suitcase!!!

Waking Up in a Tutti Frutti Hat

Hello! I'm curating a show in July in CA. Please stop by if you are in Monterrey area!

It will be a great show with eight artists who I really respect. All of their art has whimsical, colorful and Dream like quality which can transport people right into their surreal world.

The title of this show came from one of my favorite movie The Gang's All Here, a surreal and colorful striking images which I think fits really well with those 8 artist's works.

"Waking up in a tutti frutti hat" Book Show curated by Aya Kakeda July 13 - Aug 7th at  The Alternative Cafe Gallery , Monterrey CA

Artists: Fumiha Tanaka,  Jen Tong, Nathan Fox, Matthew Thurber, Nora Krug,  Panayiotis Terzis, Patrick Dorian, Tomi Um

MEXICO!

Hello. My Mexico shows and events are coming up soon! Please come and visit if you are near, And spread the word to your friends in Mexico! Thank you!

Xalapa June 28th, 2012 Opening 7pm Solo Exhibition at Amarillo Centro de Diseno Address: Antonio Franceschy no.17 Esquina Guerrero y Perú, Xalapa http://amarilloespacio.com.mx/

Mexico City July 6th, 2012 Event 7pm "Nice to Meet You Box-kun!" Premier of New Custom Ceramic Toy at SK Sarukaku Toy Address: Isabel la Católica #87, local 101, 1er piso, entrada por Regina, Col. Centro 06080 Mexico City, Mexico http://www.skarttoy.com.mx/

July 7th, 2012 Opening 8pm "It's a Pink World After All" all female group show at Rojo Bermelo (their new space in Mexico City!) Adress: Amatlan 106, entre Campeche y Michoacan. Col. Condesa, Mexico City TEL: 63030596 http://www.rojobermelo.com/

Monterrey July 13th, 2012 Opening 8pm "Hanabi Monster Party" Premier of Hanabi Monster Silk Screen Poster and Plush Toy at Rojo Bermelo Address: Plaza fiesta San Agustin local 2099, Monterrey TEL: 83631523 http://www.rojobermelo.com/

 

StumpTown Comic Festival this weekend!

Hi Everyone!I will be a part of StumpTown Comic Festival this weekend in Portland Oregon. I'm bringing all my hand made books that I've been working on at the silkscreen studio since January and also some hand made products!

I have a booth sharing it with Sara Varon and Jen Tong. Two of my favorite comic artists! So come down and say hello to us!!!

The 9th Annual Stumptown Comics Fest April 28 & 29, 2012 • Oregon Convention Center Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-6 • Buy Tickets Now! at TicketsWest More info: http://www.stumptowncomics.com/comics-fest/

Here are some toto bags that I made for the festival! <Front> Front image is two Kokeshi chan And the back is mixed and match Kokeshi chan.

<Back>

"Playsam 500" at Super7 SF

Hello, There is a Charity Show this weekend at SF, Please come if you are in the area! The Charity for the Playsam 500 goes to The World Childhood Foundation https://www.childhood-usa.org/

>>> Super7 is proud to announce Playsam 500, a Custom Toy Show featuring 59 different artists from 5 different nations, decorating and customizing the iconic Playsam Streamliner Car to benefit charity.

Join us Saturday, April 28th at 7PM Pacific to check out all the custom

Streamliner Cars Featuring: Andrew Bell, Arbito, Clayton Bailey, Dacosta!, Super Cooper Berella, Beast Brothers, Betso, Kat Brunegraff, 64 Colors, Carson Catlin, DrilOne, Tristan Eaton, Brian Flynn, George Gaspar, Paul Greenwood, Gary Ham, Nathan Hamill, Jay222, Walter "Chauskoskis" Jacott, Jryu, Jeremiah Ketner, Paul Kaiju, Aya Kakeda, Frank Kozik, Josh Herbolsheimer, Travis Lampe, Matthew Langille, Josh Mayhem, Sarah "Lunabee" Miskelly, Frank Mysterio, Motorbot, Ritzy Periwinkle, Plaseebo, Patricio Oliver, Task One, Dave Pressler, Reactor 88, Jason "Aka Big Money" Rodan, Jermaine Rogers, Cris Rose, Scribe, Rsin Art, Ardabus Rubber, Skinner, Bwana Spoons, John "Spanky" Stokes, Steve Talkowski, Cameron Tiede, Scott Tolleson, Vise One, Angie Vtec, Ben Walker, Adam Washburn, The Air Rat, Julie West, Kevin Winnik, Nicholas Woodworth

Playsam 500 Custom Toy Show Saturday, April 28th @ 7PM Pacific Super7 Store 1427 Haight Street San Francisco, CA 94117 415-553-6155 www.super7store.com

 

Group Show in Singapore

Me and many of my friends are in this group show which takes place in Singapore next week! So far away but I will close my eyes and pretend that I'm at the opening. Maybe I can find a girl in Singapore to pose as me! hehe

MICA lecture and Toy making blog

Hello.I'm going to MICA ( Maryland Institute College of Art) next week to have a lecture and a week long Toy design workshop. Here are the link to the blog I've been making for the class.  I thought maybe some other toymaker will be interested! I will keep updating this blog with students work and interview with other toy makers so stay tuned. http://micamfaillustrationaya.wordpress.com/

Info about the workshop: http://fyi.mica.edu/event/aya_kakeda_lecture

One Year After 3.11 Tsuru Project Event

One Year After 3.11 Tsuru Project EventSunday March 11, 2012 from 1 pm to 4 pm McCarren Park, Brooklyn on Bedford Avenue side, between North12th St. and Lorimer St. ::: map

In case of rain: we'll gather at  232 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn (bet.N.5th and N.4th St)

Hello everyone! Next Sunday the March 11th is the one year memorial of the Earthquake and Tsunami which hit Northern Japan last year. Tsuru Project (A group formed after the earthquake last year that  I'm part of) will gather at McCarren park on this March 11. We will make origami crane and have a origami workshop to send our prayers to the lost souls and the people who were affected by this tragedy. Please come and join us to make tsuru for the first memorial for Japan. Also we would like to send our gratitude to everyone who has supported Japan from New York and all over the world.  Thank you!!!

(Photo:On March 20, 2011, we gathered at McCarren Park,and made origami cranes for the first time for Japan, sending our love and hopes to our home country.)

Look what I found in my mail box today!

After long day of silkscreening I came home pretty tired, but as soon as I found this in my mailbox I was so happy!It's  a book call "Asian Illustrators" by Monsa published from Barcelona, Spain. Book Features 17 illustrators from all over Asia and I'm one of the artists. yappy~!!!  Thank you Monsa!

Here are some pictures from inside of the book. (I should scan it...these photos are taken by my camera phone... they are in such a terrible quality... ) Here is the Monsa website where you can get this book---> http://monsashop.com/es/ilustracion-y-arte-urbano/237-asian-illustrators.html

"We are one" benefit exhibition tonight at Camel art space!

http://camelartspace.com/121711-%E2%80%A2-we-are-one-japan-benefit-camel-art-space/Hello! Come to the Benefit exhibition tonight at the Camel Art space in Brooklyn. I was there yesterday and saw all the art works and they are really incredible! It's for a benefit for Japan and all the artists are donating and selling their work under $200. It's a great opportunity to collect famous artists' work in low costs, also a great for Holiday gift all for the good cause! I have one piece hanging, I attache the image below.  Maybe good for your kid's room?! Chocolate land :-)

See you there~

WE ARE ONE – JAPAN BENEFIT @ Camel Art Space

EXHIBITION: December 17th, 10:00am-6:00pm

ART WORKS SALE / RECEPTION: December 17th, 6:00-9:00pm

Location: Camel Art Space 722 Metropolitan Ave., 2nd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11211

In cooperation with: • Japan Earthquake Relief Fund at Japan Society

Manchester School of Art Embroidery

Manchester School of Art is the only school which holds Embroidery Major that I know of.  The Students of the Embroidery Major is having a benefit Auction next week to raise money for their graduation exhibition. I remember that it happened in some NY art school few years ago, too that since the bad economy (?!) school canceled the graduation shows so the students had to come up with money for the event.  I feel like if you pay that much tuition for 4 years to school you should automatically get the final show... but I guess sometimes it doesn't work that way.If you are in England and close to this area, please stop by and support the students!  All the art work starts from £10.  I have one embroidery work also. If you don't live in England you can also bit online! www.fivepointeightbyfourpointone.wordpress.com

Can you guess which one is mine???

Hi!I'm part of this Kamen-rider exhibition going on now in L.A. Come by if you are around!

>>>Over 120 local and international artists will pay visual tribute to some of the most famous pop culture icons in Japanese history and their creator, manga god Ishimori Shotaro.

Opening Reception: Nov. 5, 2011 7PM-10PM

Where:

Q POP 128 Astronaut E S Onizuka St Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: (213) 687-7767 www.qpopshop.com

Japanese American Cultural and Community Center 244 S. San Pedro Street, Suite 505 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: (213) 628-2725

Participating artists:

Adolie Day / Amanda Visell / Amelie Flechais Andy Gonsalves / Angello Garcia Bassi (Cubotoy) Anna Chambers / Antonio Cannobio / August Hall Aya Kakeda / Becky Dreistadt / Ben Newman Brian Kesinger / Brittney Lee / Bwana Spoons Casey Alexander / Cecilia Meade / Chikuwaemil Chogrin Munoz / Chris Sasaki / Ciro Nieli Clio Chiang / Corey Lewis / Crowded Teeth Denny Khurniawan / DevilRobots / Don Hall Elizabeth Ito / Emmanuelle Pioli / Graham Annable Heidi Younger / Hellen Jo / Hideyuki Tanaka Higinia Garay / Hine Mizushima / Imaitoonz Itokin Park / Jeff Ranjo / Jeff Turley Jeni Yang / Jim Mahfood / Joe Matteo Joey Chou / JooHee Yoon / Jorsh Pena Josh Parpan / Junko Mizuno / Justin Parpan Justin Thompson / Kazu Kibuishi / Kevin Dart Leanna Rudish / Leo Espinosa / Leo Matsuda Lilidoll / Lincoln Kamm / Lissa Treiman Lorelay Bove / Lorena Alvarez Gomez / Luca Tieri Luke Chueh / Mad Barbarians / Mari Inukai Marlo Meekins / Martin Hsu / Marty M Ito Mayumi Tanaka / Michael Fleming / Michael Yamada Minifanfan / Misha / Nagi Koyama Naoshi / Patricio Oliver / Patrick Awa Paul Felix / Paul Rudish / Paul Shih Pete Oswald / Picopico / Ping Zhu Rich Pellegrino / Riki Takaoka / Robert Ryan Cory Romain Mennetrier / Roque Ballesteros / Rozenn Bothuon Santino Lascano / Scott Morse / Scott Watanabe Sean Chao / Sean Danconia / Seo Kim Shiyoon Kim / Shojonotomo / Sid Jung Steve Lambe / Sunguts / Touma Valerie Nunez / Victoria Ying / Vincent Mathy Warren Leonhardt / Yoko Furusho / Yoko Nomura Yucachin' / Yumiko Kayukawa / Yukinao Takashima

 

 

Book is out! Collaboration with Mr. X Stitch

Hello! I should first introduce Mr.Stitch. He has a fantastic website which introduce Artists who uses embroidery & Needle point as their medium. ---> http://www.mrxstitch.com/ He was mentioning about making a book out of this website for a couple of years and now it's finally out! Beautiful design and paper. (Love how the new book smells) I'm very honored to be in this book. Thank you Mr. Stitch and congratulations!!! You can pick up the copy from book store or on line: US: http://www.amazon.com/PUSH-Stitchery-Artists-Boundaries-Stitched/dp/1600597874 UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/PUSH-Stitchery-Jamie-Chalmers/dp/1600597874

Here is the Book review---> Announcing PUSH, a new series devoted to indie-crafters and artists pushing the boundaries of traditional crafting mediums! Curated by Jamie Chalmers--aka Mr. X Stitch, a leading figure in the “new embroidery movement”--PUSH Stitchery profiles the cutting-edge creative work of 30 top stitching artists from around the world. Each designer is showcased with six to eight pages of gallery-style imagery. A fascinating question-and-answer section, along with bios, make this innovative and inspirational book a must-have for anyone interested in blurring the lines between craft and art.

Yeeeey!!!!

Tanabata Festival this Saturday!

Please Join us for this one day benefit event for Fukushima Children!Me and my friends Tsuru Project has been working for this event for quite some time, it will be really nice to see you there. WISH COME TSURU Tanabata Festival in New York

The TSURU Project brings a Japanese star festival to New York City to send wishes to people in Japan

August 6th, Saturday 3 pm - 7 pm at Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011

A very special one day event showcasing more than 3,000 colorful origami cranes in large ornaments, participatory workshops for origami cranes and tanzaku, thin paper strips for writing wishes to decorate bamboo branches, and live music performances by Japanese musicians.

The large ornaments will be on view and each string will be sold at suggested donation from $20 during a festival. Donation box will also be available. All the proceeds will go to Ashinaga’s “Rainbow House Fund,” Mazenda Fukushima Children’s Fund, and Tenri Cultural Institute’s “Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.” Only cash can be accepted.

**This is a free event and open to public.