TheCircle Culture gallery in Berlin’s current exhibition features contemporary versions of traditional Japanese family emblems, called KAMON. In the late Heian period, court nobles would proudly decorate their cow-drawn carriages with family emblems, which were used to indicate one’s family history, bloodline, lineage, and standing. There are more than 350 Kamon known to exist, each depicting natural elements like the Sun, stars, mountains, etc. Contemporary artists edited and redesigned the Kamon, to create new values and expressions within them.
It’s a great-looking exhibit – particularly the colorful designs by renowned Japanese psychedelic artist Keiichi Tanaami (pictured below). Other artists featured in the exhibit include Namaiki, Naohiro Ukawa, Ishiura (TGB design), and Marok. The exhibit closes on April 20th at Circle Culture, and will additionally be showing at the Soso Café in Japan during the entire month of April.
Oooh, and merchandise too!
