Best Art Drops: KAWS 'CLEAN SLATE' Companion, Takashi Murakami Souvenir Shop & More
Including Keith Haring x Medicom Toy collectibles.
Every week we spotlight the best art drops by leading artists, galleries, museums and contemporary art platforms across the globe. Listed items normally encompass original artworks, prints, collectible figures, collaborative merchandise and more.
For our latest installment: KAWS and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth are set to release the CLEAN SLATE companion, Takashi Murakami recently opened the Kaikai Kiki souvenir shop in Tokyo, Medicom Toy launched special edition Keith Haring collectibles, Paul Insect and Bast drop the Can Man sculpture, and Cryptik joined forces with Print Them All to purvey limited-edition lithographs inspired by mandalas.
Read the list below and let us know your favorites. Elsewhere in art, take a look at 10 must-see exhibitions at Art Basel Miami 2018.
KAWS x The Modern to Launch CLEAN SLATE Companion Figures
KAWS
Release Date: December 9 at KAWS x The Modern website
Release Price: $480 USD
In partnership with the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, KAWS will release a trio of new CLEAN SLATE 14-inch vinyl figurines in monochromatic gray, brown and black. The design is a smaller version of a massive sculpture that is currently on display at Phillips’ plaza in New York City. The Modern also recently acquired a 21-foot-tall version of the CLEAN SLATE in bronze, which will be revealed to the public in conjunction with the collectibles’ launch this coming weekend. The open editions will be available both in-store and online at The Modern starting at 10 a.m. CST on Dec. 9, with a retail price of $480 USD.
Takashi Murakami Opens New Kaikai Kiki Souvenir Store in Tokyo
Garage MCA
Release Date: Available now
Release Price: TBC
Takashi Murakami recently launched a new souvenir store in Tokyo named Tonari No Zingaro. The fledgling retail space features a limited series of souvenirs and pieces from Murakami’s Kaikai Kiki galleries such as plush dolls, prints, apparel and more. One of the highlights of the space is a vending machine embellished with Murakami’s signature motifs. The shop is now open on Nakano Broadway. Head over to Tonari No Zingaro’s Instagram page to learn more.
Medicom Toy Releases Limited Edition Keith Haring Collectible Figures
Medicom Toy
Release Date: Available at select Medicom Toy stockists
Release Price: TBC
Keith Haring’s most recognizable subjects such as the Barking Dog, Radiant Baby, Three-Eyed Face, Flying Devil and Andy Mouse have all been realized in vivid collectible figures. Available in miniature sizes, the toys all feature Haring’s signature dark outlines. All pieces are now available for purchase at select Medicom Toy stockists across the globe.
Paul Insect & Bast Release Can Man Figure Exclusively at Allouche Gallery
Allouche Gallery
Release Date: Available now at Allouche Gallery
Release Price: Contact gallery for price
London-born artists Paul Insect and Bast’s popular Can Man is now available as a limited-edition sculpture. The piece had been debuted at Banksy’s “Dismaland” and the Glastonbury festival. Constructed out of a Krylon spray can with big veiny eyes, the sculpture stands at roughly 42 centimeters high and weighs about 13 pounds. The duo has teamed up with Allouche Gallery to release the sculpture in a limited-edition of only 15 samples.
Cryptik Releases New Blue Lotus & Gold Lotus Lithographs
Print Them All
Release Date: Available now on Print Them All
Release Price: $578 USD
Celebrated visual artist Cryptik recently released limited-edition lithographs entitled Blue Lotus and Gold Lotus. The artworks portray intricate mandalas which are spiritual and ritual symbols of the universe in Hinduism and Buddhism. Both pieces — sized 76 cm x 76 cm — are under the Southern Californian creative’s Mantradala series.
