Hello Kitty fans, make some plans to be in Los Angeles. The Japanese American National Museum invites you to Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty, a special exhibition in celebration of the 40th anniversary(!) of pop icon Hello Kitty, running October 11 through April 26, 2015.
The first-of-its-kind exhibition will combine a product-based historical and sociological examination of Hello Kitty, including rare and unique pieces from Sanrio's archives, with an installation of mixed media works by artists demonstrating Hello Kitty's influence on contemporary art.
Hello! is curated by Christine Yano, PhD, author of Pink Globalization: Hello Kitty's Trek Across the Pacific, and Jamie Rivadeneira, founder and owner of the Los Angeles pop culture boutique JapanLA. The exhibition's six-month run will also include lectures, panel discussions and workshops.
Here are some more details about the exhibit:
Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty
October 11, 2014 - April 26, 2015
Japanese American National Museum
100 N Central Ave
Los Angeles, California 90012
The Japanese American National Museum and Sanrio present Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty, the world’s first large-scale Hello Kitty museum retrospective.
This unprecedented two-part exhibition includes an extensive product survey with rare and unique items from the Sanrio archives, curated by Christine Yano, PhD, and author of Pink Globalization: Hello Kitty’s Trek Across the Pacific. It also features a selection of innovative contemporary artworks inspired by Hello Kitty and her world, curated by Jamie Rivadeneira, founder and owner of the Los Angeles pop culture boutique JapanLA.
Organized as part of the global icon’s 40th-anniversary celebrations, Hello! examines the colorful history of Hello Kitty, her influence on popular culture, and her evolution from a simple Japanese children’s graphic to a wildly successful lifestyle brand bridging east and west and crossing multiple generations.
Tickets on sale September 29, 2014.
www.janm.org/hellokitty
Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty is a specially ticketed exhibition.
The exhibition is a key element among several events and collaborations celebrating Hello Kitty’s 40th Anniversary. These also include Hello Kitty Con 2014, a convention at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, running October 30 to November 2; new product releases, including limited addition 40th anniversary collectibles; and Hello Kitty appearances around the globe in support of the Share a Hug with Hello Kitty! campaign. Further details and updates about Hello Kitty's 40th Anniversary celebration can be found here.
For further information about the Hello! exhibition, visit JANM's website.