By now, you have probably seen the absolutely epic photos of KAWS's newest project, KAWS: HOLIDAY JAPAN, placed at the foot of Japan's emblematic Mt. Fuji. The 130-foot+ long sculpture of KAWS's Companion figure relaxes in a full-on laid back pose, and ready for the company of, according to Hypebeast, "2,000 campers staying at the foot of the inflatable figure at the Fumotoppara Camping Ground sponsored by Herschel Supply."
As part of KAWS's ongoing collaborations with AllRightsReserved, the same team that helped put the Companion figure in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour this past Spring, the NYC-based artist continues his full-court press with exhibitions, public art events and product launches. This particular series, placing mammoth-scale works in temporary and famed locales, inflates KAWS's long-time fascination with nostalgia, childhood memory and the innocence of adopting pop-culture iconography. These works are like toys left-behind in familiar places, like a kid leaving behind their favorite doll or action figure on a family vacation. There is wonder and delight at the placement of the Companion pieces, but also a serious study into the ways new icons are made and adopted into our daily lives.
KAWS: HOLIDAY JAPAN will be on display through July 24, 2019. Images via Instagram, credits in the gallery above.
View this post on Instagram#KAWS #KAWSHOLIDAY #Japan #MtFuji @arr.allrightsreserved @herschelsupply Video by @nk7
