KIZUNA
KIZUNA | 1/9 - 3/31, 2021
Dab Art Co. is pleased to announce KIZUNA, an exhibition featuring new photographs by Edgar Takoyaki. Continuing to explore the subcultures of Japan, Takoyaki travels once again to his muse city of Tokyo. During this pre-Covid trip, Edgar makes his way through the famed Harajuku district and to Togo Shrine photographing a small and distinct group of men who self identify as Cholos. Adapting the style and embodying the cholo lifestyle of East LA, these self identifying Japanese Cholos encapsulate a counter culture akin to their Chicano counterparts.
The Cholo lifestyle is not just about the clothes and the cars, it is about family and friends. A select and exclusive group to which one belongs. KIZUNA translates to Bond; more specifically the bond and connection between people. Takoyaki focuses on the relationships and the explicit friendships formed through the affinity and affections of a cultural sensation a world away.
KIZUNA finally comes to fruition in a multi-city exhibition spanning from Los Angeles to Mexico City and can be viewed online on Artsy until March 31st, 2021. KIZUNA will be on exhibit until February 22 at our Downtown Los Angeles location AND at Proyectos Galería (PRPG.mx) in Mexico City.
EDGAR TAKOYAKI (b.1972)
Edgar Takoyaki developed his passion for photography after documenting his first visit to Japan with a point-and-shoot camera in 2005. In the years since, Edgar has studied the technical side of photography while developing his distinctive style. His subjects are varied, from portraiture and travel photography to elaborately staged sci-fi-noir scenes. Much of his work reflects the influence of Japanese culture and science fiction, and is distinguished by a dark, atmospheric quality that suggests a larger story behind each image.
Edgar has shown his work at a number of solo and group exhibitions in California, and he has earned international recognition in recent years. In 2012, he was presented the Jury Award of Merit (Landscape) in the International Fine Art Photography Contest Grand Prix de la Couverte. He was also invited to London as an exhibitor in the Life-Framer Alternative Lives Exhibition in 2014.
Edgar currently lives in Ventura with his wife, three cats, and robot companion.