“Gojira Reclaims Japantown,” 2021. Charcoal on paper, 22”H x 30”W
See You Space Cowboy… From Hokusai to Hiphop
San Francisco State University Fine Arts Gallery
September 23 through October 26, 2003
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 23, 1 to 3pm
Closing Reception: Friday, October 20, 5 to 8pm
See You Space Cowboy… From Hokusai to Hiphop explores the influence of Japanese graphic arts, manga, and anime on contemporary cultural production outside of Japan.
Takashi Murakami’s “Superflat Manifesto” (2001) deftly ties the aesthetics of this contemporary work to the history of Japanese art, arguing that manga and anime emerged out of a visual lineage that includes scroll painting, graphic art, animation, and pop culture, all sharing the same art historical roots. This lineage continues to evolve as artists seek inspiration in this material. This aesthetic has been embraced by artists working in a variety of media responding to anime, manga, and earlier ukiyo-e graphic art through visual art, animation, and hip-hop.
The exhibition includes an original Hokusai portfolio on loan from the Sutro Library, and works from Rozeal with Apexer, Yuki Maruyama, Craig Nagasawa, Mike and Mark Davis aka The Madtwiinz, Masako Miki, Sylvia Solochek Walters, Daniel Acosta, Gajin Fujita, Rock M. Sakura and Erika Klash, a selection of anime-inspired skate decks, and more.