Invite Only with VERBAL: Daniel Arsham x Pokémon "A Ripple in Time"
The AMBUSH co-founder walks us through the Tokyo exhibitions.
For HYPEBEAST Japan‘s latest installment of Invite Only, AMBUSH co-founder VERBAL guides viewers through all five of the Daniel Arsham x Pokémon “A Ripple in Time” exhibitions currently taking place in Tokyo.
The journey starts at Roppongi Hills, where large bronze Pokémon sculptures are installed outdoors for public viewing. “These are based on the concept of ‘Future Relic,’ which Daniel envisions as being found in 3022, 1,000 years ahead of our time. There’s something impressive and thought-provoking about the idea of unearthing a central part of our culture in the future, like this Pikachu for example,” says VERBAL.
Next is “Hidden Within the Tall Grass,” which sees white Daniel Arsham x Pokémon sculptures displayed alongside Teppei Kojima‘s Bonsai creations. “It’s amazing that some Bonsai have been around for hundreds of years, and with Daniel also thinking on a time span of 1,000 years, this seems like a great harmony,” VERBAL exclaims, noting that some Bonsai are as old as 500 years.
Arsham’s recently released Pokémon short film can be viewed on the big screen at Nanzuka Underground, and an eroded bronze Mew and Japanese gravestone engraved with Pokémon card graphics are shown at the Nanzuka 2G exhibition which sells exclusive co-branded merchandise including vintage-style overalls, track caps, and keychains.
Last but not least, the tour ends at 3110NZ, a sushi restaurant run by LDH kitchen. The space is a gallery by day and restaurant by night designed by Snarkitecture, an architecture design unit Arsham is part of. Archive Arsham drawings of Pokémon figures that later manifested into physical sculptures are displayed along the gallery walls.
Take a look at VERBAL’s full walk-through video above. For those currently in Tokyo, all exhibitions mentioned are now open for visitors. Details can be found below.
“A Ripple in Time” – Nanzuka Underground (February 12 to March 27)
“Ancient Power: Hidden in the Ruins” – Nanzuka 2G (February 11 to March 6)
“Field Research” – 3110NZ by LDH kitchen (February 8 to March 6)
“Hidden within the Tall Grass” – Sogetsu Plaza (February 11 to February 20)
“Pokemon of Future Past” – Roppongi Hills 66 Plaza (February 5 to February 26)
Elsewhere, take an inside look at Bode’s new Melrose Avenue flagship store.
