After ten years, Louis Vuitton has once again teamed up with world-renowned Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama for a second collaboration. Art is no stranger to the French luxury brand as it has been known to dabble in artist collabs with the likes of Takashi Murakami, Jeff Koons as well as Kusama.
To celebrate the new collection, set to be released in January 2023, Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama have taken over Tokyo with a series of art installations as well as digital AR (augmented reality) experiences. The artworks and interactive features are scattered across Tokyo at iconic landmarks including Tokyo Tower, Zojoji Temple, Shiba Park, Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Tokyo Station. You can find a map marking out all the installations in the city on the Louis Vuitton website.
On the digital front, Shinjuku's 3D billboard is screening a video of a Louis Vuitton trunk decked out with Kusama's polka dot motif and an avatar of the 93-year-old artist. The video ad is running between 7am and 1am daily until December 7.
The LV logo installation at the foot of Zojoji Temple is on show until December 5. You can catch it between 8am and 10pm daily (until 6pm on the last day). In the evening, the installation will be illuminated from 4pm to 10pm.
ルイ・ヴィトン×草間彌生ライトアップ✨✨
— ノッポン弟（TOKYO TOWER 公式） (@nopponotouto) November 29, 2022
ロゴマークとカラフルなライトアップがなんともセレブリティー😍#LouisVuitton#草間彌生 pic.twitter.com/ZBGT4hLob0
Additionally, Tokyo Tower has been turned into a festive holiday tree with the Louis Vuitton logo featured on the outside of the iconic tower. This installation is available on November 30 as well as between December 16 and 18. The light-up at Tokyo Tower is from 5pm to 12midnight.
People walking through Shiba Park will be able to see an installation with Kusama's chrome spheres as well as a hot air balloon shaped as one of her signature pumpkins. Both installations are available from 8am to 10pm daily until December 29. These will also be lit up in the evening between 4pm and 10pm.
At Tokyo Station you'll find another vibrant installation set up along Gyoko-dori. This exhibit is only here until December 25.
A massive skating rink has appeared near Tokyo Station, decorated with Kusama's iconic polka dots. The skating rink is open daily from 11am to 10pm until December 25 .
Lastly, go seek out this quirky LV Fish Café on Gyoko-dori leading towards the Imperial Palace. This pop-up café is around until December 25, serving snacks and drinks from 11am to 10pm daily.
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The new collection, which hits stores in the new year, will include handbags and accessories with hand-painted polka dots or metallic spheres similar to those found in Kusama’s 'Narcissus Garden' installations.
The citywide installations are now on show until the end of December. You can find the exact dates and opening times for each installation on the website.
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