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sept. 2010
A Knowledge of Photography
Featuring $10 US $14 CAN
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TOKYO
CALLING: NEW PEOPLE BY: BRYAN FERREIRA PHOTOS: GABRIEL WHEELE R New People is a recently constructed three-story mall in Japantown, but it’s much more than that. New People is a theater, a gallery, a retail space, and a concept. More specifically, New People is a “J-pop center,” which is how owner and creator Seiji Horibuchi envisioned it. If you are already a fan of Japanese film, manga, animation, music, gadgets, and fashion, then this is your Mecca. According to Mika, the PR representative for New People and Super Frog Gallery (named in honor of a short story by Haruki Murakami), cultural exchange is the focus of this J-pop heaven-on-earth. New People delivers and promotes
Seiji Horibuchi Moholy Ground Magazine
Asian pop cultural icons and movements, many of which have only been enjoyed by Asian markets. Prior to launching New People, Horibuchi founded VIZ Media (licensor of English translations of Japanese manga) and VIZ Pictures (distributors of Japanese film). Horibuchi wanted to deliver the full J-pop experience to an American audience who grew up on anime and manga. He envisioned a venue to showcase aspects of Japanese culture that were not as readily accessible to the American public. New People provides a venue for the rare and
hard-to-find items, whether that be the latest Harajuku fashion,
Japan to refine their recipes. The Japanese tend to go all out
a film, or work of art. You are most likely not going to see
in most everything they do. This Japanese passion for both
what New People has to offer anywhere else and Super Frog
detail and going to extremes is certainly represented in the
is one of the few galleries that strives to bring established
multiplicity of offerings at New People. From the Gothic Lolita
and emerging artists over from Japan.
fashions to the film screenings, not to mention the ever-changing
The building that houses New People is a testament to Horibuchi’s attention to detail. The architect was sent to Tokyo
art at the Super Frog Gallery, there is a lot going on there. The Japanese have the ability to blend their own traditional
to get a feel for the city and incorporated some of that ultra-
culture with the modern, as well as an ability to absorb
modern spirit into the design elements of the building and its
Western culture and reinvent it. This appears to be very much
interior spaces. The cafe that greets visitors in the lobby, Blue
a part of Horibuchis’ vision of cultural exchange at New
Bottle Coffee, sent a representative to many coffee shops in
People and something also present in the works of Yoshitaka
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Moholy Ground Magazine
Amano—a famous anime character designer and artist, as well
whereas the subject matter represents J-pop culture. The
as one of Super Frog Gallery’s participating artists.
gallery often features works by Amano, so keep an eye out for
Amano is famous as a character designer for Yattaman, Gatchaman (known as Battle of the Planets in
his next exhibit. VIZ Cinema, New People’s theater housed in the building’s
English), and Final Fantasy. His piece now on display in the
basement, is a rare and important institution. It provides
lobby of New People portrays a Gatchaman anime character
an exclusive forum to present Japanese film at a time when
painted on two metal sheets utilizing a high-gloss automotive
many foreign and indie cinemas in San Francisco have
finish. This intentional utilization of auto body paint and glaze
closed. VIZCinema shows an eclectic variety of Japanese films,
on metal as the medium embodies American car culture,
including classics by Kurosawa and new films based on manga
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such as 20th Century Boys. The theater also features films from
and kawaii, is a street phenomenon from Harajuku — the
Korea and is currently promoting works from South Korean
infamous neighborhood in Tokyo most known as a magnet of
director Chan-wook Park, director of the 2003 film Old Boy.
underground culture. The Lolita movement has spread around
The theater has shown a week of Gundam (popular anime)
the world with the rise in popularity of manga and anime,
films and a week of Godzilla films; you would be hard pressed
as the Lolita look is often incorporated into those mediums.
to find such programming anywhere else in the country. The
Lolitas from all over the Bay Area flock to the second floor
theater is also home to a monthly lecture series on Japanese
of New People to pick up these hard-to-find fashions. Moholy
pop culture called TokyoScope. For you spec nerds, the theater
Ground Magazinepartnered with New People and a bevy of Bay
seats 143 and is THX-certified with 35mm and HD digital
Area Lolitas for an all-day fashion shoot at the New People
projectors. Not to be overlooked are the big orange seats
building. From the roof to the basement theater, photographer
with fold down armrests and cup holders, so make sure to
Gabriel Wheeler captured the latest looks from the designers
bring down a Matcha Latte from Blue Bottle. Another nice
Black Peace Now, Baby The Stars Shine Bright, and Sou Sou.
detail about VIZ Cinema is the comfortable lounge area with long tables and pull-out chairs where you can hang out, drink coffee, and discuss film.
~ Make sure to swing by New People the week of September 13, 2010 for J-pop Summit Week, a festival of Japanese music, films, events, and (of course) shopping.~
Japanese art and cinema are one thing, but what really translates to Americans iskawaii — the cult of all things cute, which has been Japan’s most sought-after export since the birth of Hello Kitty. Lolita and Gothic Lolita fashion, which is a combination of Victorian styles, punk, goth,
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Located in San Francisco’s historic Japantown 1746 Post Street. www.newpeopleworld.com Fall 2010 | 58
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