Do these two visual images have anything in common? (subtitle: Coincidence?)

In「KOREA ENCOUNTERS: Experimental artists challenge 'suffocating' conformity in 1960s Seoul」(The Korea Times January 14, 2024), the caption for Image 1 reads, "Chung Chan-seung prepares an installation..." Author Matt VanVolkenburg writes,

"In December 1967, three experimental art groups... held an exhibition... in central Seoul.

This exhibition might have passed with little media notice had the artists not gone out into the streets to picket and decry public indifference and the fact that Korea had no galleries for modern art.

The highlight of the exhibition was Korea’s first-ever 'happening.' The term 'happening' had been coined by American artist Alan Kaprow in the late 1950s after he became interested in the performative aspects of making art. For him, the line between art and life was to be made as fluid and indistinct as possible." (my bolding)

Image 2 is a rendering of Myaku-Myaki, the mascot chosen for the Expo 2025 Osaka in 2022 designed by Kouhei Yamashita. The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry describes the mascot:

"The concept was to combine the logo with the water from Osaka, 'the city of water,' to give it the ability to transform...

This mascot has no fixed form. Everyone involved with the Expo imagines the mascot differently, changing it endlessly into various forms." (my bolding)

There seem to be similarities in the visual appearances and the conceptual visions. Both the "happening" and the mascot are flowing, variable, nebulous and multivocal. They both seem to be looking for a better future.

I don't recall how The Korea Times story popped onto my computer screen. Perhaps my recent online investigations of contemporary and visual art created some algorithms to make such an article appear. And I have always thought the mascot to be silly and odd (and not representative of Osaka). I wonder how these things occur.

Sources:

The Korea Times, January 14, 2024. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/01/177_366860.html

designboom, October 31, 2023. https://www.designboom.com/design/myaku-myaku-expo-2025-osaka-mascot-10-31-2023/

Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, March 22, 2022. https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2022/0322_001.html

#koreanavantgardeartgroups
#koreanprotestart
#koreanhappening
#expos2025osakamascot
#myaku-myaki
#2025年日本万国博覧会マスコット
#ミャクミャク
#coincidence

"Osaka Expo mascot needs name; organizers ask for suggestions"

Image and story from Japan Today, 5/2/22.

The organizers of the 2025 Osaka World Expo have decided to once more enlist the help of the public, this time to help them come up with a new name for their mascot.

You may remember the mascot was making waves online when it was first announced, as unlike normal character mascots, it looked like something straight out of a horror movie.

As one of the mottos of the event is designing a future society of shining lives, the monstrosity of a mascot has already been given an unofficial name by netizens — Inochi no Kagayaki-kun (Shining Life-kun). However, organizers have recently commented: “We aren’t considering that as the official name at this point.”

...

Instead, the organizers have decided to ask the public for suggestions for a name. Seeing as the mascot will be used for promotional activities and official merchandise, this is a great opportunity to really be a lasting part of the 2025 World Expo.

Before you go rushing to suggest the mascot be named Sleep Paralysis Demon, be aware that the person who suggests the winning name will net themselves a cool 300,000 yen. The entry form also requires you to write your reasons for coming up with your suggested name, so “I’m suggesting ‘AGGGGGH-kun because just look at it,” probably won’t do you any favors.

Although you definitely won’t be alone in suggesting horror-based names, if comments by Japanese netizens are anything to go by. Those who had recovered from the shock of learning it was not in fact called Inochi no Kagayaki-kun were quick to come up with some gruesome suggestions of their own.

“I’m gonna suggest Death Bringer.”

“I think Curse from the Abyss would be a good choice.”

“What about End of the World-kun?”

“I’ve seen a lot of suggestions for Kill Me-kun, haha.”

Anyone can submit a name for consideration, and two suggestions are allowed per person. The name must be written in either hiragana or katakana, and names that are gender based will not be considered, as the mascot is genderless. Unfortunately, only Japanese nationals or people with Japanese residency are eligible to enter, but anyone who meets those requirements can send their suggestions here. Entries will be open until May 16.

Be sure to check out the reader comments as well...

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/national/Osaka-Expo-mascot-needs-name-organizers-ask-for-suggestions

Even if you're not cute, you can make big yen in Japan...

(Image borrowed from Guesthouse Yougendo)

In 2010, Japan will celebrate the 1,300th Anniversary of the Nara Heijo-kyo capital. And what is the best way to do this? Create a cute mascot, of course. But the mascot for this important celebration has committed the ultimate sin in the land of Hello Kitty and Ebi-chan, he isn't cute... With all the controversy of Sento-kun not being cute (where did they go wrong with a little boy Buddhist monk with deer antlers?), he has become quite famous and gained commercial notoriety. According to The Daily Yomiuri, the coverage of his unpopularity has given him a commercial value of 1.5 billion yen. The article concludes by noting the mascot made much less than the new governor of Osaka, Toru Hashimoto. Does this mean the governor is cuter that Sento-kun?

Read the whole story at The Daily Yomiuri On-line:

Link to Unpopular mascot scores 1.5 bil. yen in publicity
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080420TDY02307.htm

Here are some more links for stories about Sento-kun and how unpopular he is...

Link to "Horny" mascot for ancient Nara capital named "Sento-kun"
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news/20080416p2a00m0na033000c.html

Link to Mascot of Nara at Guesthouse Yougendo:
http://yougendo2.blogspot.com/2008/04/travellers-planning-to-visit-nara.html

Link to New Mascot for Nara Heijo-kyo Anniversary at Tokyomango:
http://www.tokyomango.com/tokyo_mango/2008/03/new-mascot-for.html#more

Are we really sure he is not so cute? Or maybe he is growing on us? Some people seem to be having fun with him at YouTube:





Who is to say who or what is cute? Is cuteness static or subject to semiosis? Is Sento-kun pushing the envelope? Is he really such a bad mascot? How would you create a symbol of Nara to celebrate the ancient capital?
(Image borrowed from Mainichi Daily News)