UNIQLO UT Taps Daniel Arsham For "Fictional Archaeology" 'Pokémon' Collaboration

Building on its survey of authentic pop culture and art graphics, UNIQLO‘s UT division recently announced its latest collaboration with contemporary artist Daniel Arsham.

Launching as part of an art collaboration project with Pokémon, the partnership sees Arsham become the first fine artist to be granted access to the beloved Japanese franchise’s archive. The latest expression of Arsham’s creative concept of “fictional archaeology” sees quintessential characters become sculptures dated 1,000 years from today.

Comprised of seven styles for men, women and children, the monotone graphics feature crystallized sketches of such emblematic Pokémon like Pikachu, Mewtwo and Jigglypuff. The prints translated onto T-shirts stand as pieces of “wearable art” under a sculptural collection titled Relics of Kanto Through Time.

Take a quote from Daniel Arsham regarding his collaboration with UNIQLO UT and Pokémon below.

“With many of my projects, I try t make work that’s not just for art people and I think UNIQLO has a similar egalitarian culture. The reason I feature iconic characters in my work is that they are very recognizable, and, on the surface, they make it easy to enter my work. Pokémon has been a monumental presence ever since I was a child and I’m excited about the opportunity to present my work to a much wider audience.”

Take a full look at the Daniel Arsham x Uniqlo UT Pokémon collaboration releasing April 24 mid-morning EDT above.

In case you missed it, Razer’s Pikachu True Wireless Earbuds comes with a Poké Ball charging case.