Posted:Jul 1, 2007

Diesel Denim Gallery Art Exhibition “Japan”

The Diesel Denim Gallery in Daikanyama is hosting a collection of illustrations and graphic art inspired by the theme ‘Japan’.

Hanging rolls and shikishi with manga-like pictures in garish colours decorate the walls of the store, amongst the denim and accessories on sale. However, being in a shop, unfortunately these artworks merely give the impression of generic posters, or pages taken from the latest Diesel catalogue (although of course, this may indeed be the intention). I was oddly attracted though to the blow-up ‘Noh-men Ken’ (‘Noh-masked Dog’) near the entrance – an unapologetically trashy mix of Japan, pop, and fun. Certainly worth dropping by if you happen to be in the area, but bear in mind that the place is primarily a shop so you might get the occasional odd glances from shop assistants or patrons (not that it matters though – it’s there to be looked at, after all!).

Lena Oishi

Lena Oishi

Born in Japan in 1982, grew up in England and Australia. With a BA in Media and Communications and MA in Cinema Studies, she now lives in Tokyo as a freelance translator and occasional editor. Works include VICE Magazine, Japanese editorial supervision of "Metronome No. 11 - <i>What Is To Be Done? Tokyo</i> " (Seikosha, 2007), and translation for film and art festival catalogs. She can also interpret simultaneously if you give her enough candy. Lena likes making her eyeballs bleed after watching way too many films while eating ice cream in the dark.