Lucky Artwork by:
Nancy Uyemura
Tomo Isoyama
Amy Inouye
It’s almost a new year already again, and we feel like everyone could probably use a soft reboot—so we’ll have some lucky artwork to get you in a positive mood (you’ll get a lucky buzz). New Year’s is a really big deal to Japanese people, with many superstitions and customs. The end of the year is a time for leaving the old year’s worries and troubles behind, and the beginning of a new year is an opportunity for a fresh start. For this show, we interpret our versions of luck/love/prosperity-inviting practices. We will exhibit our spins on traditional lucky icons and imagery (like lucky stars and horseshoes). Our goal is to share cleansing energy in positive, artful ways with visitors to the gallery. Japanese believe that the new year should be started with laughter, and that is also part of our idea for this show. Everyone can participate by writing their hopes and wishes and tying them onto a peace tree (well, actually a stick sculpture), then send bad vibes packin’ at the “Run Devil Run” station (write “good riddance” messages and then shred them); and stocking up on artist-blessed good luck charms.
The gallery also houses Chicken Boy Shop, a tiny shop that sells exclusive Chicken Boy and Highland Park merchandise, wacky gift items, vintage goods, art prints and artist-made products.
Additional holiday 2012 hours include: Black Friday Nov. 23 (noon to 5 pm), Small Business Saturday Nov. 24 (noon to 5 pm), Shop Local Sunday Nov. 25 (noon to 5 pm), and Cyber-Monday & All-Day-Everyday (online at chickenboyshop.com)
