plus art co., ltd. (English name: plus art co.,ltd; head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; representative: Taku Nitta), which builds its business around the theme of enjoying contemporary art, will hold "CROSS THE BORDERLINE – ONIMARU meets ART -," an art exhibition themed on "ONIMARU," the mascot character of the metaverse space "SWAGGA," together with SWAGGA INNOVATION Co., Ltd. (English name: SWAGGA INNOVATION Co., Ltd.; head office: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; representative: Ryo Nagaoka), from April 7, 2024, at +ART GALLERY on the 3rd floor of Tokyu Plaza Shibuya.
Having operated its gallery for three years on the 14th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square, at the heart of Shibuya, +ART GALLERY now begins a new chapter on the 3rd floor of Tokyu Plaza Shibuya within the new Shibuya commercial complex, Shibuya Fukuras. +ART GALLERY will continue to present exhibitions aimed at growing the community of people who enjoy collecting art and at supporting artists' careers.
What is "CROSS THE BORDERLINE – ONIMARU meets ART -"
In this project, +ART—which plans and runs exhibitions under the theme of making contemporary art more fun—collaborates with the metaverse "SWAGGA," as SWAGGA's character "ONIMARU" leaps out of the metaverse space into reality, and leading artists and creators at the forefront of their fields create and exhibit original ONIMARU art figures.
For this project, SWAY (rapper, actor, and creator)—who belongs to LDH JAPAN Inc., serves as the MC of "DOBERMAN INFINITY," and is a member of Gekidan EXILE—will act as the official ambassador.
Profile: SWAY
He serves as the MC and a central member of "DOBERMAN INFINITY," a group of five men comprising 4 MCs + 1 vocalist.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sway_ldh/
As a solo artist, he has taken part in featurings with many major artists, demonstrating his sense as a rapper, and as a member of Gekidan EXILE he is also active as an actor, appearing in numerous stage productions as well as the films "Crows EXPLODE," "Hot Road," and "HiGH & LOW THE MOVIE," and the Nippon TV dramas "Wild Heroes" and "HiGH & LOW ~THE STORY OF S.W.O.R.D.~," among others.
He also possesses a one-of-a-kind sense as a designer, earning high praise for designs of his group's official merchandise and CD jackets,
as well as apparel brands, magazines, and major corporate logos—a true multitalent, active across a wide range of fields with an unparalleled sense and an overflow of ideas as an artist.
He is a representative figure among the new generation of bilingual rappers, and the brilliance of his voice, his flow and skill, and his stylishness overwhelm all others in Japan. With his rapper-and-actor style, and as a figure who is becoming iconic in the fashion world as well, all of Japan is watching his next move—and he is brimming with the potential to succeed as an artist of global standard.
ONIMARU ART by SWAY × ONIMARU will also be on sale.
At this event, we also plan to offer content that lets you actually experience the metaverse "SWAGGA," as well as limited-edition original merchandise.
"ONIMARU meets ART" is your chance to see a one-of-a-kind ONIMARU, created in collaboration with art, exhibited in Shibuya, Tokyo—so please do come and visit!
ONIMARU PROJECT CREATOR (a selection)
(A selection of the collaborating artists is shown here.)
About SWAGGA / ONIMARU
Metaverse Space "SWAGGA"
Various metaverse projects have already emerged, giving rise to metaverse spaces each with their own distinctive worldview. Among them, SWAGGA is a metaverse project built on a sci-fi sensibility, where you can enjoy a world crafted down to the finest detail through your own avatar.
The worldview / story of SWAGGA (click to show)
WHAT IS "ONIMARU"?
Not the avatar (alter ego) that players control within the metaverse space, but a mascot character that exists within the metaverse space.
[ONIMARU]
"Born in Blocera 2081. A digital lifeform with a mischievous and ferocious appearance but a strong sense of justice. It has a talent for fighting those infected by the Hard Fork virus, and earns its income from battle."
To play SWAGGA's games, players need an ONIMARU NFT. In the dance battle to be released first, casual battles are fought based on all sorts of elements such as apparel, dance skills, and audience numbers.
ONIMARU NFTs have rarity levels called N, R, SR, SSR, and UR. UR is the highest rarity, and the higher the rarity, the stronger the ONIMARU. The stronger the ONIMARU, the more effectively you can earn NFTs when you stake them.
✅ You can play SWAGGA too!
Visit here and step into the world of SWAGGA!
* You will need to connect a digital wallet called MetaMask (free to create).
Reference site: What is MetaMask? A thorough guide to creating one on PC and smartphone!
ONIMARU ART COLLECTION
ALL ONIMARU×ARTWORKS+ART GALLERY opens in the metaverse
We are currently developing a +ART GALLERY within the now much-talked-about metaverse "SWAGGA."
Within SWAGGA, we are developing a system in which you create your own room and purchase not only ONIMARU but also fashion items such as clothing and shoes as NFTs—which are then also delivered to you in real life.
"Art" pairs exceptionally well with NFTs for proving authenticity, and you will be able to purchase works on SWAGGA using cryptocurrency and the like and display them in your own room. Moreover, it is designed so that the works you purchase are also delivered to you in real life, and once realized, this will offer an art experience that expands value without diminishing the experiential value of art as it is today.
This project is being driven forward with the aim of enhancing the mutual market of metaverse / art—raising the value of ONIMARU and SWAGGA themselves (contributing to SwagToEarn) and expanding the circulation of art.
How to purchase works
From 11:00 on April 7, the works for sale will be announced and displayed on the +ART Online Shop or in store (+ART GALLERY) and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Merchandise and other items will also be on sale at the venue.
Experiential content
We have prepared special content where you can experience SWAGGA. For details, see the official social media or inside Discord.
Inquiries about the works
If you would like a list of works, please contact us at the address or Instagram below.
Email: staff@pls-art.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plsart.inc/
Event Overview
· Venue name: +ART GALLERY (Tokyu Plaza 3F, within Shibuya Fukuras)
· Exhibition title: "CROSS THE BORDERLINE – ONIMARU meets ART -"
· Date & time: Sunday, April 7, 2024 onward — by popular demand, the run has been extended through Sunday, April 28! Operating hours 11:00 – 20:00
* Operating hours may change due to the impact of COVID-19. Please check the official website from time to time.
· Venue: Tokyu Plaza Shibuya 3F (150-0043 Tokyu Plaza Shibuya 3F, within Shibuya Fukuras, 1-2-3 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
· Access: Directly connected to the "Shibuya Fukuras Pedestrian Deck" via the west-exit connecting passage of JR Shibuya Station
About a 3-minute walk from "Shibuya" Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line, Den-en-toshi Line, Keio Inokashira Line, and Tokyo Metro Hanzomon, Ginza, and Fukutoshin lines
· Admission: Free
· URL: https://pls-art-shop.com/
· Organizer: SWAGGA INNOVATION Co., Ltd.
· Co-organizer / Venue operation: plus art co., ltd.
A reference site for deeper understanding: What are SWAGGA & ONIMARU?
■ How to enjoy +ART GALLERY
(1) Since the exhibiting artists change every one to two weeks, you can encounter a wide variety of artists and works!
(2) For those buying art for the first time, or who have just started collecting, our staff offers collection advice and more. We will support the building of a market where anyone can casually enjoy art.
* We provide guidance for purchases for your home, taking into account the artist's career, the nature of the work, and more.
(3) With artists in attendance and available to talk, you can hear directly about the feelings poured into the works and the artist's own thoughts.
* Please check each artist's social media or our company's social media for days in attendance.
