New People to Auction Yoshitaka Amano Originals for Japan Benefit

MANGA/ANIME ARTIST YOSHITAKA AMANO DONATES THREE ARTWORKS FOR A SPECIAL ART EXHIBIT AND JAPANESE DISASTER BENEFIT AT NEW PEOPLE’s SUPERFROG GALLERY

Yoshitaka Amano: FOR JAPAN Showcases The Artist’s Vibrant Style And Presents A Very Special Live Auction Event To Raise Funds For Ongoing Japanese Recovery

San Francisco, CA, June 14, 2011 – NEW PEOPLE, the dynamic San Francisco entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, is proud to present Yoshitaka Amano: FOR JAPAN, a very special pop art exhibition and auction event to fund ongoing Japanese disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Yoshitaka Amano: FOR JAPAN opens inside NEW PEOPLE’s SUPERFROG Gallery on Saturday, June 18th and runs through Saturday July 9th. A special auction event and closing party is scheduled for Saturday, July 9th – the final day of the exhibit – from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Guests must RSVP here to attend. Additional details are available at: www.newpeopleworld.com/arts/yoshitaka-amano-for-japan.

Yoshitaka Amano has donated three striking new brush works on canvas to be auctioned for the tsunami and earthquake victims of Japan. Fully 100% of all proceeds will be received by the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund by JCCCNC (http://www.jcccnc.org/). Yoshitaka Amano: FOR JAPAN will further exhibit a range of the acclaimed artist’s works that were originally created as a testament to his childhood love for American pop culture, comics, and automobiles. Reinterpreted with his signature manga and anime-influenced graphic style, these breathtaking and vibrant pieces are boldly coated in auto paint and metallic glitter.

Bidding will be open to on-site as well as text bidding beginning at 12:00pm (PST) on Saturday, July 9th. Bid amounts will be updated LIVE on NEW PEOPLE’s TWITTER page. The Final Bidding Event is scheduled to be held during the closing party beginning at 7:30pm.

All bidders must pre-register to participate. Bidders may register online here or also on-site at the SUPERFROG Gallery. Credit Card information will be attained via phone after registration, along with a Bidder Number that will be used for identification during the auction. The bidder with the highest final bid at the auction’s closing time will attain the painting after payment is verified. 100% of proceeds will be donated to the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.

“Japan still faces many challenges as it works to rebuild its infrastructure and house tens of thousands of people displaced by the earthquake and tsunami,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of NEW PEOPE, Inc. “Yoshitaka Amano is an internationally acclaimed artist in the anime and pop art world and we’re honored to offer the SUPERFROG Gallery as the venue to unveil three of his latest works that will help with such a critical cause. This is a rare opportunity to acquire work by one of the most celebrated pop artists of the last 20 years and one not to be missed!”

Legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano is widely acclaimed for his work in animation and video games. He is also renowned for designing the characters for the hit video game, Final Fantasy, as well as for anime films including Vampire Hunter D, Guin Saga, Final Fantasy, and Front Mission.

The SUPERFROG Gallery is a bright and spacious 2,000 square foot exhibit space that is located on the 3rd floor of NEW PEOPLE’s striking contemporary building in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Japantown. SUPERFROG Gallery is a permanent outlet for established as well as emerging artists that draw inspiration from Japanese and Asian pop and modern culture.

NEW PEOPLE opened in 2009 and has become a unique must-see attraction of San Francisco’s cultural landscape. The 20,000 square foot contemporary venue features the latest examples of Japanese popular culture expressed though film, art, fashion, and a variety of specialty boutiques and ongoing monthly events. NEW PEOPLE is located at 1746 Post Street in the city’s Japantown.


About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (http://www.newpeopleworld.com/) offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (www.newpeopleent.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.

SUPERFROG Gallery Has Yoshitaka Amano Exhibit

Press release from VIZ Media:

SUPERFROG GALLERY AND LeBASSE PROJECTS PRESENT THE BOLD POP ART OF YOSHITAKA AMANO IN DEVA LOKA THE ARTIST’S FIRST NEW LOS ANGELES EXHIBIT

SUPERFROG Gallery at NEW PEOPLE, which provides a unique venue for artists that draw inspiration from Japanese popular culture, teams with Los Angeles-based LeBasse Projects to present a special exhibit of Japanese pop art created by legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano.

Visual art is at the core of Japanese pop culture and the crisp lines, vibrant colors and imaginative designs and characters make the genre instantly recognizable. The new DEVA LOKA exhibit is Amano's first major show in Southern California in nearly a decade and consists of 25 individual pieces rendered with bright auto paint and metallic glitter and offered as an ode to the artist’s love of American comics, culture and automobiles.

DEVA LOKA opens February 20th and runs through March 13th at LeBasse Projects, located in Los Angeles’ Culver City Arts District. A special opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, February 20th from 7:00-10:00pm.

LeBasse Projects is a premiere destination for both established and first time collectors with a commitment to spotlighting fresh, relevant and poignant new artworks. LeBasse Projects is located at 6023 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. More information is available at: www.lebasseprojects.com.

Yoshitaka Amano is widely acclaimed for his work in animation and video games. He is renowned for designing the characters for the hit video game, Final Fantasy, as well as for anime films including Vampire Hunter D, Guin Saga, Final Fantasy, and Front Mission. Amano first premiered his DEVA LOKA exhibit in the SUPERFROG Gallery for the grand opening of the NEW PEOPLE venue in San Francisco last August.

The artist says of the exhibit, "Between the late 60's and the 70's, and during my early years in the art world, I was greatly influenced by American comic books and pop culture. I'd like to show my gratitude for the inspiration America gave me with this exhibit. With the theme of DEVA LOKA, all of my concepts and influences are able to come together, centered in one place. I hope everyone enjoys my show."

NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: http://www.newpeopleworld.com/. [END]

Japanese Pop Art Exhibit at SUPERFROG Gallery

Press release from VIZ Media:

BE MY VALENTINE WITH JAPANESE POP ART AT THE NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE


All-Day Event On February 13th Celebrates With A Valentines Themed Art Emporium And Grand Opening Of New Exhibit At SUPERFROG Gallery

NEW PEOPLE partners again with BAZAAR BIZARRE SF to present the NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE Vol. 2, a brand new Japanese pop art extravaganza to celebrate the debut of the NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION at the SUPERFROG Gallery.

The NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE Vol. 2 kicks off on Saturday, February 13th with a Valentines-themed art emporium taking place from 12:00 noon to 8:00pm. The one-day-only event will feature eleven vendors stationed in kiosks throughout the building offering works from an eclectic mix of Asian and Western artists influenced by Japanese pop culture. The NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION opens the same day in the SUPERFROG Gallery and runs through Sunday, March 21st. Plan a fun and visually enticing trip to NEW PEOPLE and find the perfect gift for your significant other. The event is free to attend; additional information is available at http://www.superfroggallery.com.

Nine dynamic artists featured in one room. The NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION in the SUPERFROG Gallery brings together a vivid mix of pop art visionaries. Enjoy new works from edgy Japanese film director Katsuhito Ishii, Sidney Pink, one of Japan's most inspirational gaijin (foreign) artists, as well as inspired pieces from Junko Mizuno, Kim Songhe, Mikito Ozeki and Yoshitaka Amano. A special opening party will be held on Saturday, February 13th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. To attend, please sign up for an e-mail newsletter at www.newpeopleworld.com.

Visitors are also invited to explore the TOKYO CREATORS GARDEN, a serene and sunny new boutique on NEW PEOPLE’s 2nd floor that is inspired by the work of artists and craftsmen from Japan. Visitors may browse the many pieces on display or just relax in the colorful environment.


Artists Featured In The NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION Include:

Katsuhito Ishii
Known for his creative vision as a director of feature films, television commercials, and animation, Katsuhito Ishii is here to reveal an imaginative art project that has been secretly developing for the last few years. Ishii formed an art team called "49S" with several designers and sculptors he admired. For a year-and-a-half, Ishii worked away from his film director realm and opened his first art exhibition in France in 2009. For the NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION at the SUPERFROG Gallery, Ishii has selected a special series called FACES, which are illustrations that symbolize "the revival of pop culture.”

Sidney Pink
Sidney Pink is an American artist that creates small pencil and watercolor drawings. Pink also lived and worked in Japan for four years where he found tremendous inspiration for his art. Pink has exhibited in New York, Baltimore, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berlin, and Tokyo and was nominated for a Jury Prize at Takashi Murakami's art festival, “GEISAI Museum 2.” Japanzine magazine described Pink as, "one of Japan's most inspirational gaijin [foreign] artists."

Junko Mizuno

Junko Mizuno currently resides in San Francisco and enjoys a huge following in the U.S. and is acclaimed for her provocative and strong feminine imagery. She has published numerous manga comics and brings to this exhibition her 3D wall pieces, another expression of her original style.

Kim Songhe

Kim Songhe, a Korean national born in Tokyo, is known for sculptures made of natural materials and reusable wastes. Currently, she designs shop window displays as well as creating original made-to-order chandeliers. She says that she creates to bring new life to objects that are almost dying.

Mikito Ozeki

Mikito Ozeki describes his work as ‘an ambiguous something with no answer’. The BODY series is commonly depicted as “figures like robots”. By presenting the ambiguous ‘something’ with the distinct clear lines and forms of a paper cutout, Ozeki simulates the wavering of human values.

NORITAKE

Noritake uses simple lines and numerous motifs that have nothing in common. He picks out and draws a portion of an image he finds in his own photos, old magazines, and picture books, as well as adding in new elements. Viewers may make their own discovery while glancing at his images.

YOSHITAKA AMANO
Best known for his character designs for Final Fantasy, Yoshitaka Amano brings his newest works to SUPERFROG. His breathtaking and vibrant pieces are boldly coated with auto paint and metallic glitter, an ode to his childhood love for American comics and automobiles.

KAZMO aka Tomomi Kazumoto
Kazmo, screen printer extraordinaire, entertains your eyes with kitschy playfulness and dark nostalgia. She reminds us of our childhood when the world was a blank coloring book ready to be doodled on. Part of the NEW PEOPLE ART Detour, Kazmo is back with a new line of expressive prints.

Yuichi Yokoyama
Yuichi Yokoyama delivers his art in the form of comic illustrations often consisting of nameless characters in transit or in action. With a global following that grew from his manga publications, this is a rare chance to encounter his work on display here in the U.S.


About Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco
Bazaar Bizarre began in 2001 in Boston as an offbeat entertainment extravaganza to showcase the DIY movement and handmade goods. Bazaar Bizarre has spread across the nation to places such as Los Angeles, Cleveland, Maker Faire Bay Area and Austin. Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco is a handmade market, indie entertainment extravaganza and D.I.Y. festival all under one roof. We have quality handmade arts and crafts for sale, DIY workshops and entertainment. More information at: http://www.bazaarbizarre.org/sanfrancisco

About NEW PEOPLE
NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: http://www.newpeopleworld.com/. [END]