Goldfish Mika Ninagawa - BE@RBRICK
Mika Ninagawa is one of the world's most celebrated photographers. Her work in portraits, still life, and landscapes invoke strong colors and a sense of vibrance. Today, she's a sought-after celebrity photographer, film director, and prolific product designer. Her long line of collaborations with BE@BRICK show off photos representing the core themes in her work. The "BE@RBRICK M Mika Ninagawa Goldfish 100% & 400%" figure set depicts one of her earliest subjects: goldfish.
Mika Ninagawa and BE@RBRICK Collaboration Background
Mika Ninagawa is a longtime collaborator with Medicom Toy. Her photographs have served as the base for BE@RBRICK figures as well as apparel and accessories. She has also worked with other artists and designers to create original designs for Medicom Toy products. In total, Ninagawa has collaborated on nine unique BE@RBRICK designs since 2011.
Collaboration Planning and Launch
Mika Ninagawa was one of the artists chosen to create BE@RBRICK figures for the BE@RBRICK World Wide Tour 2. Held in 2011, the event commemorated BE@RBRICK's tenth anniversary and introduced over 50 new collaborators to the brand. Ninagawa returned to the BE@RBRICK line in October 2016 with a floral design adapted from her photographs. This design was also featured in clothing and accessories in the Medicom Toy LIFE ENTERTAINMENT line. In 2017, she collaborated to release a sakura-themed BE@RBRICK and accessory line as well. Ninagawa first collaborated with another artist to create a BE@RBRICK in 2019 with the streetwear line BAPE. Her second artist collaboration resulted in a 2021 BE@RBRICK with fashion designer Anna Sui.
BE@RBRICK M Mika Ninagawa Goldfish 100% & 400%
This vibrant BE@RBRICK figure set captures the vivid worldview depicted in photographer Mika Ninagawa's art. The figure is covered in a repeating motif taken from one of Ninagawa's goldfish photographs. A saturated, rich blue serves as the backdrop. White goldfish with orange heads populate the main space. The repetitive effect gives the impression of a school of goldfish swimming freely in a shallow pond. Accents of light green punctuate the design, breaking up the visual while giving the impression of plant life. On the back, the figure sports Ninagawa's trademark, minimalist symbol.
- Product Name: BE@RBRICK M Mika Ninagawa Goldfish 100% & 400%
- Brand: BE@RBRICK
- Manufacturer: Medicom Toy
- Specifications: Set of 2 painted, articulated, non-scale plastic figures
- Height (Approx.):
100%: 70mm | 2.8"
400%: 280mm | 11"
About Mika Ninagawa
Mika Ninagawa is a Japanese photographer. Ninagawa was born in Tokyo on October 18th, 1972 to famous theatre director, Yukio Ninagawa. As a photographer, Ninagawa rose to prominence as part of Japan's "Girly Photo" movement in the late 1990s. The movement involved a shift in interest to amateur photographers taking photos of daily objects. She's well-known for her colorful photos depicting flowers, goldfish, and landscapes. She received the Kimura Ihei Photography Award in 2001, solidifying her place in the Japanese art world. Since 2001, Ninagawa has released 18 photography monographs and catalogs. She started work as a director in 2007 and most recently directed the Netflix, 2020 web series Followers. In addition to her achievements as an artist, Ninagawa has found success through partnerships in fashion and advertising.
About Goldfish
Goldfish are one of the recurring subjects in Mika Ninagawa's photography. With their vibrant colors, goldfish serves as an ideal subject for her portfolio of vivid aesthetics. Her photographs of goldfish vary in theme and composition. Some photos depict large schools with saturated lighting, highlighting the rainbow of colors found in goldfish scales. Others involve a manufactured tableau to highlight lush details in mundanity. The figure takes its design motif from a photo featured in Ninagawa's 2003 zine "Liquid Dreams." The picture features a close-up shot of white and orange goldfish gathered at the bottom of a blue-tiled fish tank.
Other Important Artwork by Mika Ninagawa
Outside of her commercial success, Mika Ninagawa has made a name for herself as a serious career artist. The three main components of Ninagawa's work involve long-term museum exhibitions, art installations, and her directorial work.
Mika Ninagawa Into Fiction/Reality: Museum Exhibitions
"Mika Ninagawa Into Fiction/Reality" is Ninagawa's largest traveling museum exhibition. The Exhibition premiered in 2018 at the Kumamoto Contemporary Art Museum. As of March 2021, the exhibition is on display in the Matsuzakaya Art Museum in Aichi, Japan. The tour will end after 2021. Featured pieces include large-scale photographs of flowers and a large room dedicated to Ninagawa's work with sakura blossoms.
Sakuran: Directorial Work
Sakuran was Mika Ninagawa's directorial debut in 2007. The film adapted the story from Moyoko Anno's manga of the same name. A historical drama, the film follows a young girl and her path to becoming a distinguished yet unique courtesan. The film received praise for its vibrant colors, costume, and set design. It was screened at both the 57th Berlin Film Festival and the 31st Hong Kong Film Festival. Sakuran won two awards at the 31st Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Achievements in Art Direction and Music.
Links
BE@RBRICK M Mika Ninagawa Goldfish 100% & 400%
BE@RBRICK M Mika Ninagawa Goldfish 1000%
BE@RBRICK Series
BE@BRICK Label
Mika Ninagawa Label