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The Cthulhu Mythos Exhibition was held from May 13-24, 2014, at the Span Art Gallery in Tokyo’s Ginza district. From 2D illustrations to 3D figures, over 19 artists had their work for sale and on display. The works chosen were curated by robot and monster illustrator Yuji Kaida.
The term "Cthulhu Mythos” refers to the science-fiction and fantasy world of evil spirits, monsters and other grotesque characters, including Cthulhu, that appear in the novels of H.P. Lovecraft. Numerous writers and artists have created their own works based on the Cthulhu Mythos, attracting countless fans from around the world who are fascinated by the overwhelming scale and precise interpretations they provide.
There were 22 works on display, including Yuji Kaida's "At the Mountains of Madness - Shoggoth.” The theme of the piece is H.P. Lovecraft’s novel, At the Mountains of Madness, which has become known for being the basis of the recent film Pacific Rim by director Guillermo Del Toro. Other exhibited works were provided by well-known Cthulhu Mythos aficionados Yuko Tsukishiro and Noriko Nagano. In addition to these familiar Cthulhu Mythos faces, notable works by internationally acclaimed illustrators such as Kiriko Yumeji (Hydra) and fuzichoco (The Faceless God) were also on sale.
We got the rare opportunity to speak with some of the featured artists.
Modorikawa’s works tend to focus on imaginary animal motifs, but for Cthulhu Mythos she settled on a monster painting. The original novels include descriptions of the appearance and characteristics of the monsters that appear, so she used those, along with her own unique imagination, to visualize and accurately illustrate them. The theme of the work is “Sketches by someone who risked their live by going to a world inhabited with many grotesque monsters,” so Midorikawa consciously tried to create a sense of rough, incompleteness in the drawing style.
Click Crack was another artist whose work attracted a lot of attention.
Click Crack was very particular about making a stuffed animal that managed to retain the Cthulhu’s main characteristics, including the fingers, claws and unique boney shape. The tail, the green part near the eyes, and the tentacle coming from the mouth are all detachable parts.
Based on the ideas in H.P. Lovecraft’s many novels, artists continue to contribute to the free and infinite world of the Cthulhu Mythos. This exhibit featured many works that stayed true to the original stories, while adding their own unique and fascinating interpretations.
Furthermore, there was a bookstore set up in the back of the Span Art Gallery event space that had illustrations from previous years, postcards, and books signed by Japanese subculture artists. While these books certainly have premium value, they are being sold at this event at the retail price. If you find yourself in Ginza, be sure to stop by.
Cthulhu Mythos Exhibition 2014
Time Period: May 13 (Tues) to May 24 (Sat), 2014
Location: Span Art Gallery
《2D Illustrators》
Aogachou, Teiji Asanuma, Yuji Kaida, Ipei Soeda, Yosuke Takahashi, Yuko Tsukishiro, Deino, Toyamami-ya, Hiroko Nagao, Noriko Nagano, Shinji Nishikawa, fuzichoco, Hiroshi Maruyama, Miho Midorikawa, Takato Yamamoto, Kiriko Yumeji
《3D Artists》
Click Crack (Tadayuki Nakazawa, (Tomo Hyakutake)), Takashi Yamawaki
© Ginza Garou Span Art Gallery. All Rights Reserved.
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
