Florida Gallery Host Exhibition of Japanese Monster Art Source: ArtCenter/South Florida press release Visit KAIJU MONSTER INVASION on MySpace
KAIJU MONSTER INVASION: MIAMI BEACH On view December 2, 2008 – January 4, 2009 ArtCenter/South Florida’s Richard Shack Gallery 800 Lincoln Road at Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach, FL Admission is free! OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION: Wednesday December 3rd, 8:00pm-10:00pm ARTISTS SIGNING: Friday December 5th, 8:00pm-10:00pm KAIJU THEMED COMPUTER MUSIC CONCERT: Saturday December 6th, 
8:00pm-10:00pm ArtCenter/South Florida (“ACSF”) presents KAIJU MONSTER INVASION: MIAMI BEACH 2008, an exhibition featuring Japanese monster-inspired interpretations by renowned contemporary western and eastern artists. The Japanese word Kaiju, which translates to “strange beast” or “monster”, first emerged in post-war Japan in the 1950s and 1960s. After experiencing the Atomic Bomb, Godzilla and Gamera became the mutant brainchildren of anti-nuclear cinema. Now a half-century later, Lowbrow and Pop Surrealists including Coop, Ron English, Brandon Dunlap, Naoto Hattori, Mark Nagata, Bill`s Kitchen, Skot Olsen, Mars-1, Davey Wong, Amanda Visell, Jim Woodring, Robb Hamell, Attaboy, David MacDowell, Martin Harris, Rob Reger, Anthony Ausgang, Chris Dean, Joe Vaux, SunMinKim, Mairuzu, Jeff McMillan, Gargamel, Brian McCartney, Oliver Sanchez, David Horvath, Alex Wald, Ken Bernstein, Buzz Parker, Rod North, Carlos Enriquez Gonzalez, Isabel Samaras, Glenn Barr, DreamRockets, and Bwana Spoons have been inspired by and amassed their very own collections of the famed vinyl monsters. The opening reception takes place on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 8:00 pm in the ArtCenter/South Florida’s public gallery located at 800 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida. For information, please contact ArtCenter by calling 305.674.8278, by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by visiting artcentersf.org.
Curated by Harold Golen of Harold Golen Gallery and co-organized by ArtCenter/South Florida, dioramas, renowned artists and larger-than-life figures will be invading ACSF during Art Basel Miami Beach 2008, turning the non-profit, contemporary art gallery into a visual battleground of monster mayhem in living color. KAIJU MONSTER INVASION`s opening night is slated for Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. at ArtCenter/South Florida’s Richard Shack Gallery. The exhibition also features an installation of vintage Japanese monster figures and contemporary examples that reflect the continuing art of Japanese vinyl toy-making. Could you imagine looking out the plane window on your flights to Myrtle Beach and seeing these monstrous figures!? Rarely seen outside of Japan, these figures are highly coveted by collectors, including many artists participating in the show, for their extraordinary designs and incredible paint schemes. This installation is one of the few public shows of these toys outside of Japan, made possible with the gracious support of the Consulate General of Japan in Miami, collectors James B. Levy and Mark Nagata. “KAIJU MONSTER INVASION is a very exciting exhibition celebrating Japanese pop culture and the inspiration that many Western contemporary artists have drawn from around the world of Kaiju,” said Jeremy Chestler, ACSF Executive Director. “The Japanese had a very personal connection to the birth of the atomic age and the dangers it posed internationally, creating monsters to reflect the social, technological and political concerns of the 1950s and 1960s. Given the turbulent times we live in, these monsters have considerably influenced many American artists. The threats to international security may change, but the story behind Kaiju remains relevant.”
CURATOR Harold Golen, founder of Miami`s Harold Golen Gallery has been asked to curate this special December exhibition during Art Basil 2008. Mr. Golen`s gallery focuses on Lowbrow/ Pop-Surrealist Art and has been featured in the New York Times, Architectural Digest, as well as named "Best Place to Buy Lowbrow Art" by the Miami New Times. Golen was also the proprietor of the Miami Beach store "POP", an internationally known pop culture store. Golen has a B.A. in Architecture from the University of Miami. Harold Golen will work closely with the artists and The Art Center to ensure the theme and unity of the Kaiju show. ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH 2008 KAIJU MONSTER INVASION is taking place during Art Basel Miami Beach 2008 (December 4-7). The largest Contemporary Art Show in North America, Art Basel Miami Beach has been the most successful modern contemporary art fair in the world since its foundation in 2002. According to the Miami Beach Visitors Center, the fair brings over 50,000 visitors to the city each year. This year, Art Basel patrons will view a selection of works from more than 2,000 contemporary artists and over 250 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. ART CENTER/SOUTH FLORIDA
Founded in 1984, the Art Center, located on world-famous Lincoln Rd in Miami Beach, provides artists with a highly desired space to showcase their work. The Art Center`s exhibitions are a staple of the burgeoning Miami art community. Past shows in the Art Center during Art Basel week have attracted over 40,000 visitors. The special Miami Beach location— adjacent to the Art Basel fair— makes the Art Center an ideal location for this event. Programming for KAIJU MONSTER INVASION: MIAMI BEACH is made possible through grants from the Miami-Dade county Department of cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs council, the Miami-Dade mayor and Board of County Commissioners; The Children`s Trust; the city of Miami Beach cultural Arts Council; the City of Miami Beach Community Development Block Grant; the Miami Beach Mayor and City Commissioners; Miami Beach`s Cultural Arts Council; and the State of Florida, Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Arts Council; the Dade Community Foundation; and Target. Reception sponsored by Ra Sushi of Coral Gables and Rubi Rey Rum – Drink Responsibly