SHOJI KAWAMORI EXPO

SOLO EXHIBITION

May 31 to June 23, 2019

The ""genius"" who changed the world with songs and transformations: Traces of 40 years of Shoji Kawamori's works Macross, Aquarion, and what comes next.

Supervision

Original drawings, rough designs, prototypes of transformable mechanisms, project proposals, scenarios, storyboards, and many photographs and creative memos from his 40 years of creative work...
In this exhibition, Kawamori reflected on his creative endeavors while looking at piles of materials, bringing together the process of his artistic journey.
The exhibition title was ""Shoji Kawamori Expo,"" inspired by the 1970 Osaka World Expo, which was so exciting to him as a young boy.

Kawamori's signature mecha work, the ""Valkyrie,"" a three-stage variable fighter mecha from the ""Macross"" series, was on display.

Kawamori's worldview was expressed in original new video images. A full-surrounding-ceiling theater with a dome-shaped screen 10 meters in diameter and 5 meters high showed exclusive pictures, including a part of his most recent work.

Several character figures, each supervised by Kawamori, were on display.

The exhibition featured over 1,300 design drawings, storyboards, and idea notebooks (including originals and reproductions), including prototypes of toys Kawamori created with paper and LEGO nearly 40 years ago and other items he had worked on.

On display were also a replica of Kawamori's work desk and the rocket fireworks he and his friends used to make and play with when they were students.

Additionally, many unpublished plans and rough drawings were shown.

Characters from throughout the years appeared on the stage as if they were live.

Standing statues of Aquarion, Macross, and other mecha from the past were also on display.

A timeline of 40 years of his career, tracing the roots of his creation, and a record of his travels.

Numerous creations, including images, stories, and mecha designs.
Instead of exhibiting only finished drawings and finished works, the exhibition comprehensively covered the early stages of the creative process: idea memos written on notepads, rough design drawings, storyboards, and prototypes of three-dimensional objects. The exhibition was composed to show the process of creating original designs.
Kawamori's special dome video: After spending months working out the transformation mechanisms and designs, completing countless figures, standing mecha sculptures, drawings, and rough designs on the walls and above the walls, Kawamori creates a world of his own.

GALLERY

Kawamori truly felt that his creative activities were supported by countless staff members and encouraged by the passionate encouragement of his fans. It was an event that made him feel as if he had experienced this creative, trial-and-error process and celebration of diverse worldviews together with everyone else.