Event Images for The Year Of The Labbit @ JANM (July 14-Sept 11)

Courtesy of Jerome Lu of www.hyperactivemonkey.com we have a look at the YEAR OF THE LABBIT SHOW launched July 14th at the Japanese American National Museum. And while we featured Jerome's entry previously here - it's a great opportunity to see other swell customs based on the Labbit form initially designed by Frank Kozik and manufactured by Kidrobot. The "Year of the Labbit" exhibits thru September 11th, 2011.


[27 x images in slideshow above / Full-screen viewing]

What was your personal impression of the show? "The show was very nice. Lots of people, both young and old, attended. Everyone seemed really excited to see all the new pieces. I think that having it at the Japanese American National Museum really attracted a wide audience not necessarily just the urban vinyl crowd." ~Jerome Lu

What was your favorite custom? "As for my favorite they all really nice so it's too tough to pick one out. But I must say that my favorite probably was Lou Pimentel's "When love is deep, much can be accomplished". It was just so neat to see the labbit transformed into a wave with an old man in a boat on top." ~adds Jerome.

[Click on image above to read the full image]

WHAT-IS: In conjunction with the exhibition, Year of the Rabbit: Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo (July 9 through October 30, 2011), a gathering of artists (new and old friends of the Museum) have worked their creative magic on Frank Kozik’s Happy Labbit toy. Participating artists include: Alexandra Gjurasic • Aline Yamada • Ambre Aki Gonzales • Amy Inouye • Bendow • Betty Wan Hamada • Bevl • Camilla d’Errico • Catherine Brooks • Christina Conway • Dacosta! • David Kawano • Donna Ikkanda • Edwin Ushiro • egg scissors • Emi Motokawa • Frank Kozik • Harmony Gong • higashi glaser • James Watts • Jerome Lu • Jimmy Mirikitani • Joel Nakamura • Julie Bagish • Kathy Yoshihara • Kip Fulbeck • Koji Harmon • Konatsu • Kunio Ohashi • Liane Shih • Lou Pimentel • Margaret Kasahara • Marilyn Frandsen • Mark Nagata • Mark Pilon • Martin Ontiveros • Melissa Kojima • Mike Shinoda • Namiko Sonabe • Nicole DeLeon • Qris Yamashita • Shiho Nakaza • Stan Sakai • Stuart Rapeport • Tim Kummerow • Tulip • Warner K. Varno • Yoskay Yamamoto • Zakka

Most of the pieces are currentkye available for sale through the Museum Store Online here. A few will be auctioned on eBay during the run of the show. These include Labbits by Mike Shinoda, Kip Fulbeck, higashi glaser, and Stan Sakai.