If you’re one of the many Londoners who has misplaced their brolly in the past, specifically on the bus or tube, perhaps it’s been given a new life at this fantastical art installation that’s just been unveiled at Young V&A. This must-visit museum is undisputedly one of the best for kids and families, coinciding this commission with their current exhibition, Japan: Myths to Manga.
This fantastic installation is entitled Lost and Found Yōkai, and is inspired by the exhibition itself, as well as the notion of yōkai, which is Japanese folklore based on supernatural beings that can obtain life through inanimate objects. More specifically, the kasa-obake or umbrella monster. This is a common theme and mythology seen throughout popular culture in Japan, including Studio Ghibli films like My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away.
Young V&A invited contemporary artists and designers to transform these forgotten umbrellas into a work of art. The brollies were previously misplaced on London’s transport networks and donated via Transport for London’s Lost Property office.
The free, indoor installation takes visitors on a whimsical journey through Kasa-obake Alley, the all-new vibrant area in the museum’s main hall, now spotlighting Lost and Found Yōkai, this enchanting installation of magical umbrellas.
Participating artists and designers include Andrew Kenny & John Booth, Anna Burns, Clara Chu, Nicole Chui, Damselfrau, and many more.
Participating artists and designers draw upon their own styles and practices, turning the umbrellas into a variously vibrant spectacle of colour and form. From playful monsters to embroidered tigers, you can spend a good amount of time taking in the quirky details, each with its specific meaning and purpose.
AMV BBDO creatives Anzhela Hayrabedyan and Luca Grosso said: “We were looking for a playful idea that links two cultures – the tales from Japanese Folklore with the rainy streets of London.”
The opening of the installation coincides with the start of May half-term, during which several activities and workshops will take place, specifically in textiles and weaving. For more information on Young V&A, visit their website.
Japan: Myths to Manga will be on display at Young V&A until 8 September 2024. For more information on the exhibition, click here.