BAPE Kicks Off 30-Year Anniversary with BAPE GALLERY in Beijing

Celebrating the Japanese streetwear label’s indelible impact with a global art tour.

Fashion
3.7K 4 Comments

Established in 2002, BAPE GALLERY by A BATHING APE has worked and exhibited with internationally renowned names like Hajime Sorayama, KAWS and FUTURA to bridge fashion with art, culture, music and more. To celebrate 30 years of BAPE in 2023, the gallery invited 12 emerging and established artists worldwide to create 16 never-before-seen artworks highlighting the monumental cultural influence of the Japanese streetwear label.

The global art tour premieres in Beijing at the iconic Parkview Green, with a fashion-and-art experience spanning 5,200 sq ft across two stories. The first floor of the exhibition is the BAPE ART space, which spotlights the artworks including a special display by SHARK SEIJIN as well as three sculptures by Indonesian artist Arkiv Vilmansa. Inspired by the classic camouflage pattern and iconic APE HEAD logo, the pieces all pay tribute to BAPE’s roots as a disruptor and trailblazer.

The colorful renditions of BAPE iconography showcased the pixelated paint technique of Adam Lister, gridded line work of Alvaro Ilizarbe and SHARK SEIJIN’s psychedelic style. Eric Inkala took the opportunity to venture into patterns for the first time, while LILKOOL and Oso de Agua stayed with graffiti and abstract approaches respectively. Tomotatsu Gima recreated BAPE motifs using cardboard, while Jasper Wong transformed the signature camo print into faces with huge eyes. Sam Taylor, Simone Legno, Steven Harrington and Vilmansa all featured their iconic cartoon characters.

Going beyond the physical, the (B)APETAVERSE zone explores the brand’s classic elements like the APE HEAD through immersive digital experiences, with limited-edition artworks displayed on interactive screens.

Avid collectors can keep a lookout for the BAPE PLAY figurines and art toys on display, collected over the years since the brand’s founding. In addition to the collection of BABY MILO metal statues that will be unveiled at the exhibition, the lineup of collaborative 1000% BE@RBRICKs (including one special model by Sorayama) and collectible skateboards highlight BAPE’s ever-playful personality across 30 years.

The BAPE HOME space features homeware designed in collaboration with FABRICK and KARIMOKU. From the ABC camo sofa, folding table and square bookcase, to pillows, coffee tables, skateboards and more, the showcase demonstrates how BAPE’s DNA can be integrated into everyday contemporary lifestyles. Prints of featured artworks from the BAPE ART space will also be on display and available for sale.

Sneakerheads will be drawn to the wall of BAPE STAs and can cop the latest Spring/Summer styles for themselves. Those looking to take a piece of the exhibition home can also pre-order limited edition SHARK SEIJIN figurines and BAPE HOME furniture, as well as purchase exclusive (B)APETAVERSE apparel on-site.

BAPE GALLERY BEIJING will run from January 12 to June 30, before moving on to New York, London and Tokyo.

BAPE GALLERY BEIJING
Parkview Green FangCaoDi
No. 9 Dong Da Qiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Opening hours: 10:00AM to 10:00PM, Monday to Sunday

Read Full Article

What to Read Next

New Balance 550 Surfaces in "Pine Green"
Footwear

New Balance 550 Surfaces in "Pine Green"

Arriving with suede hits.

LEMAIRE FW23 Is a Lesson on Effortless Everyday Elegance
Fashion

LEMAIRE FW23 Is a Lesson on Effortless Everyday Elegance

Presented in a runway experience that mimics the metropolitan streets.

Matthew M Williams Reconstructs a New Sense of Formality for Givenchy FW23
Fashion

Matthew M Williams Reconstructs a New Sense of Formality for Givenchy FW23

Redefining traditional menswear archetypes and dress codes with a new perspective of contemporary masculinity.

Wangechi Mutu Releases Limited-Edition Print Alongside New Monograph by Phaidon
Art

Wangechi Mutu Releases Limited-Edition Print Alongside New Monograph by Phaidon

Made in conjunction with Artspace.

8 Drops You Don't Want to Miss This Week
Fashion 

8 Drops You Don't Want to Miss This Week

Featuring Wales Bonner, Stüssy, HUMAN MADE, Telfar, and more.


Bart Simpson Plays Muse in Katherine Bernhardt's Latest Exhibition
Art

Bart Simpson Plays Muse in Katherine Bernhardt's Latest Exhibition

On view at Canada gallery in New York.

Microsoft Plans to Lay Off 10,000 Employees, Citing Concerns of Economic Downturn
Tech & Gadgets

Microsoft Plans to Lay Off 10,000 Employees, Citing Concerns of Economic Downturn

Cutting a little less than 5% of its overall workforce.

Bianca Saunders' FW23 Runway Show Was Performance Art
Fashion

Bianca Saunders' FW23 Runway Show Was Performance Art

Presenting a storyline of contemporary tailoring and relaxed luxury alongside a reggae and patois soundtrack.

Liberal Youth Ministry FW23 Spearheads a Youthful Rebellion
Fashion

Liberal Youth Ministry FW23 Spearheads a Youthful Rebellion

Featuring a collaboration with the Chivas Guadalajara Football Team.

Acne Studios FW23 Codifies New Dimensions of Masculinity
Fashion

Acne Studios FW23 Codifies New Dimensions of Masculinity

Conjuring up contemporary cavemen.

More ▾