Overloaded cyberpunk masks, hulking exoskeletons and other imagined wearable tech feature in an exhibition by artist Ikeuchi Hiroto, who mixes pop culture references and model-making.
Running until 30 January 2022 at Tokyo's Sai Gallery, the Ikeuchi Hiroto exhibition shows several years of the artist's work, which combines readymade plastic models with technological hardware and industrial parts.
The artist draws on the pop culture influences of his childhood ? such as Star Wars, Zoids and Gundam ? to inspire his creations, as well as model making, a popular hobby in Japan.
Gadgets, industrial parts and readymade model kits combine in the works of Ikeuchi Hiroto
The result is a series of wearable sculptures that are both futuristic and nostalgic, with a cyberpunk aesthetic. A key component of the Sai Gallery exhibition is Hiroto's series of headgear, each laden with an intricate assemblage of gadgetry and small parts, including items such as virtual reality masks, headphones and flash drives.
As in all of Hiroto's works, the products buried within the sculptures still function, so a wearer can use them from inside the artwork, giving each piece its own experiential component.
He has also made full-body suits utilising a similar approach
Unfortunately, this is only available to the buyer of the artwork, as the pieces are too fragile to be handled within the gallery space.
Other works shown at the Sai Gallery include a full-body suit that Hiroto has created together with the ...