Tag Archives: museum

Kaiju vs Heroes exhibit

Kaiju Vs Heroes, my exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles California closes July 7th, 2019. See over 300+ Kaiju toys from the Mark Nagata collection, take a VR tour of Nagata’s studio, play the Eyezon video game and see the short movie about Mark Nagata’s art and toys, “In the Clutches of Kaiju “ !

In addition, at the museum learn more about the internment of Japanese Americans during WW2 and the modern day repercussions.

Also, the past Kaiju Con featured a number of events that were videoed and have been posted up:

Mark Nagata Painting Demo https://youtu.be/a_qT0JtXUdc

Collector’s Panel https://youtu.be/uFFrCjFusJo

Marusan talk https://youtu.be/2-peKIpiWAY

and a nice over view of the event from Neon + Nova – https://youtu.be/rjBuCVEYL2A

Enjoy !

Kaiju Con 2019

Japanese American National Museum

I’m still recovering from Kaiju Con 2019, but in a nutshell it far exceed my expectations ! Plus, the crazy thing is the tickets sold out at the door and they actually had to turn away people wanting to come into the show ! They could see the museum and of course the Kaiju vs Heroes show at least.

I was pulled in many directions, we had a booth, a signing with Gerald Okamura, a Paint Demo and Toy Talk also.

Kaiju Con Crowds
Max Toy table Kaiju Con 2019

While I prefer to stay home and pet the cats … it’s also good to venture out and once I’m out, I do enjoy meeting fans and friends !

Artist Fred Marinello and the Radioactive Giant Bunny !
Love Fred’s work !
Mechavirus in person ! Todd had some drop dead beautiful work !
Awesome Dudes !
Xpanded Universe Mike !
Anatomy Kaiju Eyezon goes home with a Fan !
I didn’t know but the room was full so they stopped letting people into the demo !
I really don’t know what I’m doing ๐Ÿ˜‰ The museum taped the demo and there will be a link to it soon.
Drying brushing Demo !

We also had Martial Arts Legend Gerald Okamura sign his newest figure release for excited fans !

Man of Many Weapons !
๐Ÿ˜‰

And finally, participated in a Rare Toys Round table, hosted by Super Duper Jumbo Machinder collector, Tom Franck, with Justin Ishmael, Quang Le and Mark Nagata ! Video is up on YouTube but I believe the museum will also post it soon ( I’ll post up links when they do) Good times !

Holy Grail Red Bullmark Ultraman

and finally I wish I had more time to talk to the many artists and vendors … but here’s a few …

Happy to add this amazing painting by artist Joel Nakamura to the Ultraman collection !
I didn’t want to pressure Max too much but this was his first time selling customs he painted at a con !

Well, I’m sure I’m missing something but was a awesome convention and people kept asking if there will be another next year … all I can say is I hope so and I’m sure the museum will make a decision about it soon ๐Ÿ˜‰

Keep checking their web site: http://www.janm.org/

And Kaiju vs Heroes, after 10 months, ends July 7th, 2019 ! Last chance to see my exhibit : http://www.janm.org/exhibits/kaiju-vs-heroes/

Kaiju vs Heroes at Japanese American National Museum Press

Nice selection of press for the Kaiju vs Heroes show at the Japanese American National Museum.

Cover story for the LA Downtown News, September 24th issue, article by Sean P. Thomas: http://www.ladowntownnews.com/

View the full issue online, or if grab a copy this week in LAย  ๐Ÿ˜‰

 

And another from LAMag.com by writer, Liz Ohanesian: https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/mark-nagata-kaiju-vs-heroes/

 

Below a segment on Fuji Sankei TV : Kaiju vs Heroes with Mark Nagata that aired locally on KXLA TV in LA. I have a serious Kaiju face in this screen grab ;-P

Kaiju vs Heroes runs till March 24th, 2019 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California.ย 

Kaiju vs Heroes Japanese American National Museum show 2018

This AWESOME image by the extraordinary Photographer Brian McCarty will be the signature image for the upcoming “Kaiju vs Heroes: Mark Nagata’s Journey through the World of Japanese Toys ” exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.ย 

Here’s what Brian said about the image he took :

Shot for the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, the photo celebrates the upcoming exhibition โ€œKaiju vs Heroes,โ€ featuring Mark Nagataโ€™s unrivalled collection of vintage Japanese toys. Born out of the cultural ashes of World War II, these distinctive soft vinyl figures became both a means for Japanese Americans to reconnect with their culture and an apt metaphor for postwar relations between the United States and Japan.

The exhibit opens on September 15th, 2018 and will run for about 6 months into 2019. We have various events etc planned so stay tuned for more info on the exhibit in the coming months.

 

By the way, if you don’t already know, please check out the important work Brian is doing for his War Toys project – https://wartoysproject.com/

You know I just make these silly toy collectibles …but, out in the real world people like Brian are actually making a difference for these kids caught in very tragic conditions.

 

MOAH museum show 2015

MOAH_show2015Web

I have a several versions of Kaiju Eyezon toys and art work in this upcoming museum show at MOAH – Museum of Art & History, in Lancaster, California. There’s a bunch of artists in it and you can get more details on a Vip opening this Friday via their web site: http://www.lancastermoah.org

Also have a small run of hand painted mini Alien Argus in the museum store. Not sure if they will be posted online or not, but maybe send them an email if you have interest.

Yes, Art Toys or in this case, Kaiju toys in a museumย  ๐Ÿ˜‰