KAWS Reclines a 30-Metre Robot COMPANION by Hangzhou's West Lake for the Latest "KAWS:HOLIDAY"
The Mid-Autumn stop pairs an osmanthus-yellow sculpture with an exclusive collection led by a robot-form vinyl figure.
Summary
KAWS and AllRightsReserved have brought KAWS:HOLIDAY to Hangzhou, debuting a new robot-form COMPANION sculpture at West Lake
The 30-metre reclining figure lies at "Orioles Singing in the Willows," one of the Ten Scenes of the UNESCO-listed West Lake
An exclusive collection accompanies the show, led by a robot-form COMPANION vinyl figure and spanning apparel, a tea set, an incense holder and more
KAWS and AllRightsReserved have staged the newest chapter of KAWS:HOLIDAY in Hangzhou, China, unveiling a brand-new robot-form COMPANION sculpture beside West Lake. Presented with local partner WESTLAKE 66, the 30-metre-long figure settles at “Orioles Singing in the Willows,” one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, timed to the osmanthus season and the Mid-Autumn moon.
The sculpture reworks the familiar COMPANION into a future-facing form. Rendered in a soft yellow tone drawn from osmanthus, Hangzhou’s city flower, the 30-metre figure reclines on the grass and gazes upward toward the moon and sky, as if pausing to take in the Mid-Autumn light. Its robot body is a deliberate nod to Hangzhou’s identity as a hub of digital economy, internet innovation and robotics, while the reclining, moonward posture reimagines the Chinese tradition of moon gazing by the lake. Sited within a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape, it frames a quiet dialogue between classical setting and contemporary technology, and admission to the scenic area is free.
The accompanying collection is led by the piece collectors will chase hardest. A brand-new robot-form COMPANION vinyl figure stands roughly 10 inches tall and comes in gloss-finish yellow and matte black, each packed in a specially designed plastic box with embossed detailing and carrying an NFC authenticity chip. It translates the sculpture’s robot concept down to shelf scale, keeping the same reworked silhouette that anchors the Hangzhou stop.
Around that centerpiece, the range leans into lifestyle and local culture. Apparel includes a two-tone hoodie in black and grey and a split black-and-white T-shirt, both in 100% cotton, alongside a ceramic mug. The more location-specific pieces are the standouts: a bronze incense holder that ships in a wooden presentation box, and a ceramic-and-wood tea set built around a gaiwan, cups and a carved tray, a direct nod to Chinese tea culture. Further product details are set to roll out through the official channels of AllRightsReserved and WESTLAKE 66.
The Hangzhou stop continues a tour that ARR launched in 2018 and has since taken across cities and landmarks worldwide, each stop tuned to its cultural setting. It also extends the long partnership between KAWS and ARR, who have worked together for over a decade, with the reclining HOLIDAY COMPANION appearing everywhere from Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong to Mount Changbai, and even a version launched into the stratosphere.
The KAWS:HOLIDAY HANGZHOU sculpture is on view September 24 through September 27 at Orioles Singing in the Willows, West Lake. The exclusive collection launches globally online via DDT Store at 10:00 a.m. (UTC+8) on September 24, with the WESTLAKE 66 pop-up opening at 2:00 p.m. the same day and running through October 7. All items are limited and first-come, first-served while stocks last.
