At The Launch of “Tokyo Cinderella Dolls” feat. Japanese Artist Karin Shikata
The cast and crew of Tokyo Cinderella Dolls came to town at the start of the new year and here we are to take you through the best moments of the evening.
The exhibition launched to a private reception on 7 Jan and took off where the two dolls from Karin Shikata’s photographic journey in Tokyo “came to life”, re-enacted their time in Tokyo and gave a full theatrical performance, engaging both guests and staff!
With ex-performers of the Takarazuka Revue Studio and hair and make up stylist Misa Ujii
Models Mirei Uchida, Yu Ranma and Japanese photographer Karin Shikata were all ex-performers at Takarazuka Revue, a 100 year old all-female musical theatre troupe in Japan.
Karin (with bouquet), with models, make up artist and guests
And the night started off with a cocktail aperitif, Tokyo Breeze, specially concocted by a member of staff.
Tokyo Breeze. A cocktail made with Citizen Pop’s Lemon & Thyme Fresh Fruit Soda, triple sec & vodka
While we browsed around the exhibition, we discovered a photograph of the dolls eating Takoyaki! A very popular Japanese snack both in Japan and in Singapore.
Takoyaki
Chef Joseph and his team at SPRMRKT went along with the Japanese theme to create their own version of a Takoyaki out of fried risotto (otherwise known in Italy as arancini), worcestershire sauce and bonito flakes! This was featured with a Grilled Teriyaki Pork Bao with Coleslaw, Fried Chicken Wrap and Corn & Crab Chawanmushi.
Arancini with Worcestershire Sauce & Bonito Flakes; Grilled Teriyaki Pork Bao with Coleslaw; Fried Chicken Wrap
Corn & Crab Chawanmushi
Even the dolls couldn’t resist tucking into these! π
Feeling a little bashful from getting caught by our camera π
But the evening could not have been more entertaining with the guests who came, ate, drank, talked about Japan, food and art to a curated soundtrack of Japanese electronic house and pop music!
Gallery owner Stephanie Tham introducing a guest to the exhibition
Food quickly came and went!
Models with artist Karin
Music Writer for JUICE
And some might say the real highlight of the evening was when one of the dolls started feeding our guests and shocked a few!
but all was good and guests started to play along π
Another lucky guest getting fed which caused some excitement π
Finally when the crowd subsided a little, we went to the back of the shop only to discover that Karin was shooting and working on her next exhibition of these dolls and their time spent in Singapore!
We can’t wait to see where her next exhibition of these dolls on the streets of Singapore will take her… though we hear it might be in London or Paris!
Some of our hardworking staff who wanted to let loose for a while and join in the fun π
Big thanks to Galerie Steph for presenting another fun and remarkable exhibition with us!
With the beautiful and brainy Kamiliah of Galerie Steph! Photo courtesy of Karin Shikata
All photographs are for sale and if you were wondering about the photo frames and where you could purchase these, they were all actually put together and lovingly handcrafted by the photographer, Karin, with original origami paper and is part of her artistic expression with these photographs. Here’s a quick glimpse of some of the designs from the show:
Thank you to all who made it. We had a blast and we hope you did too. For those who missed it, do pop into the bistro to catch the wonderful photographic series of Tokyo Cinderella Dolls before it ends on 8 March.
Photo credits and information on Tokyo Cinderella Dolls !
