Fukuoka Unveils a New Dimension of Art: GAAAT Gallery Fuses Macross’s Iconic Imagery with Cutting-Edge Metal Canvas Technology

A New Artistic Horizon in Fukuoka: GAAAT GALLERY FUKUOKA_ Opens Its Doors

A New Artistic Horizon in Fukuoka: GAAAT GALLERY FUKUOKA_ Opens Its Doors

Fukuoka City’s Tenjin district has welcomed a groundbreaking new art space with the grand opening of “GAAAT GALLERY FUKUOKA_” (GGF), the first directly managed gallery by the innovative art brand GAAAT. This gallery aims to bridge the gap between digital and physical art, offering unique experiences through its signature Metal Canvas Art (MCA).

On November 21, approximately 50 media representatives, industry insiders, and fans gathered for a vibrant opening ceremony. The following day, GGF launched its inaugural exhibition, “Haruhiko Mikimoto Art Book ‘MACROSS’ Exhibition ~Kyosho~,” which ran until November 30. Throughout its duration, the exhibition drew a significant crowd, all eager to immerse themselves in a novel “Macross experience” brought to life by MCA.

Transforming 2D into 3D: The Essence of Metal Canvas Art

GAAAT has established itself as an art brand that elevates two-dimensional digital expressions into three-dimensional Metal Canvas Art. This proprietary process involves collaborating with diverse partners, including artists, illustrators, and IP content creators, to forge new artistic encounters. GGF serves as the brand’s first permanent hub, allowing visitors to consistently experience GAAAT’s innovative approach. Strategically located in Fukuoka, a city popular with international visitors, GGF aspires to be a conduit for sharing Japanese IP and artistic culture with the global community.

The debut exhibition, “Haruhiko Mikimoto Art Book ‘MACROSS’ Exhibition ~Kyosho~,” showcased meticulously selected illustrations from the acclaimed Haruhiko Mikimoto Art Book “MACROSS.” Mikimoto Haruhiko, celebrated for his character designs in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross series, saw his familiar visuals reimagined. The MCA technique imbued these works with the distinctive metallic sheen and three-dimensional texture unique to metal, offering a fresh perspective on beloved illustrations.

An Unforgettable Opening and Engaging Exhibition

The opening ceremony was a highlight, featuring an address by GAAAT CEO Yusuke Tokuhashi, who elaborated on the vision behind GGF’s establishment, the rationale for choosing Fukuoka as its primary base, and future aspirations. Haruhiko Mikimoto then took the stage, sharing his insights into the art book’s creation, his enduring passion for the Macross series, and his excitement for the exhibition. A particularly memorable moment occurred during the unveiling ceremony when Mikimoto-sensei personally signed “Entrusted Wish,” the main piece of the exhibition, to resounding applause from the audience.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, local craft beer from “Hobo Brewing” was served. Guests were seen enjoying drinks, engaging in conversations with Mikimoto-sensei, and discussing their favorite Macross scenes. Several attendees were so captivated that they decided to purchase artworks on the spot, marking a symbolic and successful beginning for GGF.

During the general exhibition period, visitors were frequently observed pausing before the MCA pieces, revisiting them multiple times. The art’s dynamic interplay of light and shadow, which shifted with viewing angles, created a captivating experience. The gallery attracted not only dedicated Macross fans but also general art enthusiasts and tourists exploring Fukuoka, underscoring GGF’s immediate acceptance as a vibrant new cultural landmark.

Resounding Praise and Future Prospects

Visitor feedback consistently praised the exhibition, with one attendee noting, “Illustrations I’d seen in the art book gained an entirely new level of power and presence as Metal Canvas Art.” Others commended the gallery’s ambiance, stating, “The high ceiling and refined interior were impressive; it felt like a very comfortable gallery space.” The convenience of the location also resonated with locals: “It’s wonderful to have a gallery appear so casually in the heart of Fukuoka.” The anticipation for what’s next was palpable, with many expressing excitement: “I’m really happy such a gallery opened in Fukuoka. I look forward to seeing what works and IPs they will collaborate with next.”

Situated on a major thoroughfare in Tenjin, the gallery’s strategic location also meant that many passersby were drawn in by the artworks visible through the show window, spontaneously deciding to step inside. This suggests that GGF is already beginning to function as an accessible space where art can be encountered naturally within daily routines.

The Art of Transformation: Featured Works

The “Haruhiko Mikimoto Art Book ‘MACROSS’ Exhibition ~Kyosho~” featured MCA works meticulously crafted from a vast collection of Macross series illustrations found in Haruhiko Mikimoto Art Book “MACROSS.” Mikimoto-sensei and GAAAT collaborated closely to select the visuals. The creative process involved re-editing backgrounds, compositions, and colors, then adding three-dimensional shadows and textures that differ from flat illustrations. This innovative approach challenged the perception of a “single image from an art book,” transforming it into a reborn art piece.

GAAAT’s Vision: Cultivating a Global Art Community

Moving forward, GAAAT plans to leverage GGF as a central hub for fostering collaborations with local Fukuoka galleries, artists, illustrators, and the music and fashion scenes. Through the expansion of its directly managed galleries, GAAAT is committed to several key initiatives:

Continuous collaboration projects with domestic and international IP content.
Development of exhibition experiences that blend digital and physical spaces, such as XR and AR technologies.
Enhancement of art sales and exhibition experiences through integrated online and offline platforms.

These efforts are geared towards building an art community that facilitates the global expansion of Japanese IP content. The positive reception of the GGF opening and its inaugural exhibition, including numerous expressions of “anticipation for the next exhibition” and desires to “see collaborations with different titles and artists,” has provided significant momentum for future planning.

GAAAT, as an art brand, continues to innovate by traversing the digital and physical realms with its unique technology and creativity, generating new experiential value. The brand collaborates with a wide array of stakeholders, from artists and illustrators to IP content holders and apparel brands, to create novel art experiences. GAAAT has already held exhibitions in various international locations, including Singapore, Dubai, and the United States.

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