A Tokyo-based brand that gains support mainly from young peopleHARE.and HOUYHNHNM have launched a special project! The product to be presented is a rock t-shirt, one of the classic summer items with a variety of graphics. Ken Kagami (contemporary artist), Nigel Graf (graphic artist), and face (illustrator/artist) were asked to create illustrations to be printed on this item. The T-shirt with the keywords "Tokyo" and "Rock" is finally completed!
The first artist introduced in this issue is Ken Kagami, who is active in a wide range of fields as a contemporary artist. In addition to his own brand "C," he has collaborated with brands, stores, and companies on numerous occasions. We asked Mr. Kagami about the concept behind his illustrations.
I had never done a themed collaboration before, so I was actually quite worried about it. But I didn't want to create a design that had an original idea, so I dug up the idea from within my own image. The composition of the design is the "Tokyo Tower," which symbolizes Tokyo, and the punk kids who destroy the tower. I imagined these punk kids as students who moved to Koenji and started a band, but ended up quitting after about a month (laughs). The head is plainly a Mohawk."
Kagami has been presenting surreal and adorable illustrations in the past. We wondered what kind of ideas she usually draws, including this one. I am usually inspired by interesting things, objects, and people in my daily life, but this time I had a theme, and since I was expressing it straightforwardly, I decided to keep my drawing touch as rough as usual. I decided to go with a rough drawing as usual, so I drew a quick sketch. It may be because the album will be released in a record-style package, but doesn't it look like the jackets of old indie punk bands? (Laughs)"
T-shirt ¥6,000 + tax, tote bag ¥2,500 + tax, lowered tag inside
The package is designed to look like the LP jacket that comes with the T-shirt. Photo shows front and back
Kagami says he has rarely listened to rock music. That is why his illustrations are not rock as music, but rock that evokes destruction. The T-shirts are filled with Kagami's image of "Tokyo" and "rock," and are finished in his fullest. A tote bag using the same illustration is also available, and we can hardly wait for its release on August 1 (Monday)! Next time, we will introduce face's T-shirts!
Ken Kagami
Born in Tokyo in 1974. As a contemporary artist, he has participated in numerous exhibitions in Japan and abroad, mainly in the fields of drawing and sculpture. His wide-ranging activities have evoked a variety of reactions overseas, and he currently operates a store called "Strange Store" that carries his original brand and vintage clothing.kenkagamiart.blogspot.com
Text_Yuho Nomura
Photo_Hiroyuki Takashima
TOKYO ★ROCK★ THREE T-SHIRTS
Release date: August 1 (Monday)
Available at: HARE stores nationwide, online store
Austria
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