heads

Charles Fréger's exhibition at Hermès was so great! He took photos of villagers from all around Japan dressed in funny & scary costumes that represent "yōkai".

Some of the costumes looked so strange and frightening, this made me realize that the weird & crazy Japanese mascots we see today are nothing new for Japan.

I think he spent 4 years on this project. His research team must be so good to find all these interesting costumes in deep Japan.

Towards the end of the exhibition, you can see his photographs of European costumes from his Wilder mann series mixed with Japanese costumes. Japan & Europe are so far apart geographically yet the Japanese & European costumes have so many similarities.

Here are some exhibitions I visited last month! 

"Gokita House" at the MOTHER of DESIGN, (marunouchi)HOUSE 

"TypingScapes: Letterheads after Modernism" , Takeo MIHONCHO HONTEN

Takashi Murakami "Enso", Kaikai Kiki Gallery + James Chance by Anya Phillips, Vacant Gallery

Seymour Chwast is an American graphic designer from the late 50's - present. His work is bright, lively & funny.

I like mixing hand drawn work and computer generated work because it creates more visually engaging designs. 

This is why I love Seymour's work, because he hand draws many of his pieces.

When you view his work, it feels more human than digital.

The sight of wobbly lines and pencil/brush strokes adds character to his designs.

http://www.seymourchwastarchive.com

He is also in a design group called PUSH PIN INC.
http://www.pushpininc.com/


"Improve Your Writing Posture."
Very humorous!

Seymour's Noodles

My Noodles 

It is important not to forget to use your hands! 

Grace Lee is an Australian illustrator who lives in Tokyo.She has illustrated work for Beams,Isetan & FRaU magazine.

This is the story of how we met!  

Grace Lee visited Pretty Things for the first time. She liked all the things in Pretty Things. Grace was told by the Pretty Things staff that an Australian girl works as an illustrator & designer for Pretty!
Grace wanted to say hello so she wrote a message for me on her business card saying "Hi Rebecca! The staff told me you are from Australia too! Really love your designs!".

After her visit, she illustrated some pretty things! from the shop.


1 week later , I got her business card message at our office. I looked at her website http://www.graceleeillustrator.com  and loved her illustrations. 

I sent her an email saying hello! and invited her to come to my exhibition! 
She came to my show! and that is how we met for the first time.

Last week, She invited me to her exhibition "Super Everyday Ordinary" at L'illustre Galerie LE MONDE.

Her illustrations were of everyday things & people but she made them look exciting & magical. (Real socks in the can!)
Ordinary Neko patches! by Grace!
Super everyday ordinary things.
Super everyday ordinary people.
Super not ordinary artist! 

In our office library we have guidebooks on New York, books on cooking, music, drink making, art, design, illustration, fashion and cars.

We also have magazines with amazing graphic pictures and type, like the copies of the Danish home interiors magazine "Bo Bedre" from the 70's. "Bo Bedre" have supplied so many great ideas and images for my work. 

"Edible Selby" is a modern, youthful book by photographer Todd Selby. The photos capture creative and dynamic kitchens, gardens, homes, and restaurants, accompanied by beautiful, fun watercolors.
Inside this book,  I found a place I used to work for called "Captains of Industry" in Melbourne many years ago when I was a university student saving to move to Tokyo. 

I made cappuccino's, flat white's, latte's, B.L.T's, Reuben's, pulled pork sandwiches and many more American things.

"Captains Of Industry" is an interesting place. It is a lifestyle business which offers American food and coffee, made to order footwear, accessories & suits. Traditional English & American haircuts, facial hair grooming services and Japanese Selvage Denim. This place communicates quality, history and aesthetics. 

It was a strange feeling to look at photos of my old work place in Australia while I was standing in our Tokyo office. It brought back many good, summer memories.

Another place I found from Melbourne, is a small café called "Newtown Social Club" from "Whet My Appetite",  A book about culinary graphic design and branding. "Newtown Social Club" was my local café, It was 5 minutes walk from my home!

This shop is on Brunswick St, a creative area with art galleries, studios,specialist book and music shops.
Right now, it is summer in Melbourne and winter in Tokyo ! 
Machidori ( wait bird ! ) from Lotus made me a delicious cappachino with caramel syrup to warm my day up ! This  brought back memories of drinking coffee in Melbourne. Yummy! おいしい!!!

I saw this photo today !from "Toilet Paper" art magazine.This photo makes me think of " Go with the flow! ",  "Whatever happens, happens for a reason!", 自然の）流れに任せる、流れに身を任せる!   起こるべくして起こる! 
I love! their imagery and design! Strong and exciting ..very POP!  Made me feel happy! 幸せな気持ち!! 

These are also my favorites!
and they collaborated with Kenzo for AW14 campaign! Super pop ! <3

I want these i phone covers! but my i phone is too old ! :(
Happy New Year! 2015!