Exhibition poster: A tiny world designed in matches by 100 artists.
Original Match Label & Match Box Art Exhibition Vol.7
Location: Opa Gallery, Tokyo.
Running until Monday, January 28th.
Open every day except Thu from 11am to 7pm.
WONDERFUL MATCHBOX ART!
Though Tokyo’s Omotesando district is known for its chic shopping mall and boutiques, you’d find some delightful surprises in the quiet side streets: Today, we visit the tiny world of art we found at the quaint Opa Gallery. Their exhibition features – matchboxes! PingMag lays hands on this universally known household item as it gets hand-designed by 100 different artists!
Written by Ryoko
Translated by Kevin Mcgue
This charming matchbox art is now already in it’s 7th edition, and visitors ranging from children to senior citizens come to look at and touch the minuscule works. An item that undoubtedly appeals to everybody since it is so common in everyday life. So, how did it all start? We asked Opa Gallery owner Nobuo Fujinami:
“The concept of this exhibition was thought up by illustrator Mao Yamaguchi who had her own gallery and shop,” explains Fujinami. “But the idea was so interesting it was decided to take the concept to other galleries as well. Since there was a lot of interest from visitors, we not only opened another exhibition the following year but decided to start holding it every year,” he says.
Mini-art! Japanese celebrities appear on these matchboxes made by Haruka Sakatani.
At first Fujinami thought that people would be interested in an exhibition of this kind of art in a gallery in general, but he found people were curious precisely because the art is so tiny. Many visitors were so young, they had never struck a match, as well as older visitors who felt nostalgic when they purused the matches.
A wooden box containing matchboxes painted by Mao Yamaguchi, the brainchild behind the matchbox art exhibition.
One of the biggest draws of this exhibition is the micro size of its works – they can fit in one single gallery. In the first year, 50 artists participated. This year the individual styles of 100 artists are on display. Quite a lot!
Oh my, matchstick warmers! Crafty pieces by Yasumi Kaiya.
“When you open a matchbox, it turns into a three-dimensional sculpture,” explains Fujinami. “This is probably what makes it so nice to design with matchboxes rather than working on two-dimensional canvasses. Also, there is the joy of striking a match and the distinct odour that comes with it. Something you don’t get with a lighter.”
Matchbox art by Yutaka Kato, who runs his own special website on matchbox design.
Incidentally, when PingMag went to visit the exhibition, we happened to run into two of the contributing artists: One was Simal Miura, who designs T-shirts with match motifs.
For us, he explains: “I have made tiny works before, but there was always something missing. I did the T-shirts because I wanted to do something you can actually use by wearing. Also, it was too much of a pain to go on making small things.” (Laughs)
Tiny portraits by Motomu Watanabe.
The other artist we met was illustrator and sculptor Makoto Osanai, who created match creatures with matchsticks inside matchsticks.
She says: “I have always worked with sculpture. This time I did something quite simple, which is matches inside a match.” (Laughs) “I also made a match picture book, and figurines of the characters in that store. And in case you were wondering, you can actually use these matches.”
We bet the artists had quite some fun with the making! But equally the visitors who are allowed to freely touch, grab and hold the matchstick works of art!
Thanks to Nobuo Fujinami and all of the 100 contributing artists for showing us the tiny, wonderful world of matchbox art. Next time you’ll be shopping in Omotesando, drop by the exhibition!
> OTHER MATCHBOX ART EXHIBITED
Tender matchsticks in bloom painted by Hana Asami.
Ziggy Stardust gives you a light. By Keiko Naisu.
Wonderful, atmospheric matchbox design by Shinpei Yamada.
Matchbox menagerie including animal by Azumimushi.
From artist 9square comes this matchbox with a tiny bottle inside, and inside that bottle is a matchstick. Nice and dry, of course!
And from Takayuki Rachi we have a cute picture book inside, telling the epic story of a mouse and a matchbox in length.
A sturdy coat for chain smokers by Chikako Abe.
A four-panel comic by Shigeru Nakamoto.
Cutsie little blue elephants by Chu Ando.
Beautifully dried leave decor by Amusiume.
Artist Simal Miura showing the Tees with his matchstick motifs.
When each turn comes, its head bursts into flames. Then it is all over, leaving the match worthless. Poor one! This T-shirt design shows these used matches in despair.
Osanai with his sweet match creatures.
… and more of his match cuties.
Oh! Apple-shaped keyholder with a matching matchbox design. By Shigeko Ueda.
Made from ceramic, this delicate one by Nozomi Magai has a miniature children’s swing on top. For your letter case!
A funny frog takes centre stage, by Kotobuki Okada.
A portrait of gallery owner Fujinami by Nobuo Yahagi.
So sweet! Feminine underwear designs on a matchbox. By Natsuko Takahiro.
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Quoted
Some nature is better polluted by design and art