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How Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group Ellie’s dramatic life events intersect with the turbulent times of today Reflecting on the large-scale Chim↑Pom retrospective and Ellie’s debut essay
Ellie is part of the art collective Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group. Their large-scale retrospective “Happy Spring” is currently on display at the Mori Museum. Ellie reflects on these turbulent couple years of the pandemic, in which she also gave birth and wrote her first novel. -
Why Michiko Kiseki, a Portrait Photographer of Renowned Musicians, Followed the 2019 Hong Kong Protests
Why did Michiko Kiseki, a photographer who has been photographing famous musicians, continued to photograph the Hong Kong protests in 2019? -
Adding color to a colorless world; the “uncool is cool” life of Punk Drunkers’ Oyakata Part I
Punk Drunkers is a brand with a unique universe, built upon the idea that being “uncool is cool.” The person behind it is designer and illustrator Oyakata. What does creative expression mean to him? -
SERIAL Yua Uchiyama’s “First Listen: Japanese Music Review” Vol. 2: Reviewing Haruomi Hosono’s Tropical Trilogy
On one hand, Yua Uchiyama is an active member of idol group RAY. On the other, she has gained local popularity for her Twitter #YuaUchiyama’sOneAlbumADay and for her music blog on note.com. The second review for her music serial is on Haruomi Hosono’s Tropical Trilogy. -
Through the eyes of Hironori Kodama, the photographer documenting the reality of Ukraine
We interviewed photographer Hironori Kodama over email about his current work involving taking photos of and interviewing people in Ukraine. -
American Dream Express wants to make “happy psychedelic rock”
American Dream Express makes danceable beats reminiscent of California’s psychedelic rock scene. TOKION spoke to the band about the release of their 2nd album and what’s been on their mind. -
Calligrapher Mami’s Independence. On Writing Her Unique Calligraphy Part I
Calligrapher Mami’s self-produced independent exhibition is currently open for the first time in nearly five years. In a room full of her significantly unique feat, we talked about her journey so far until the opening of this exhibition. -
The New Generational Icon Rising from Tokyo’s Skate Community, Interview with Kyonosuke Yamashita Part 2 From Growing up to Living Through the Life-Changing Pandemic
Kyonosuke Yamashita is a pro-skateboarder who makes the world his stage. This article takes a close look at the path he took to go global and his potential future. Part 2. -
Experimenting with music: Meet Ooveen, the electronic duo started by two illustrator-cum-designers.
We spotlight Ooveen, an up-and-coming electronic duo who went from illustrator-cum-designers to musicians. -
A Pop Star Turned Contemporary Artist: KAORUKO Aspires to Create Her Look by Merging Japanese Culture and Pop
Noah Becker, the editor-in-chief of Whitehot Magazine, shares his observation on KAORUKO’s creativity, who is known for work that placed Japanese culture in the context of pop art.