"KAWS:HOLIDAY" Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival in Shanghai

“KAWS:HOLIDAY” Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival in Shanghai

By Aaron Chow

Published: Aug 30, 2024 08:00 AM HKT | 2 MIN READ

KAWS: HOLIDAY is making its 11th stop in Shanghai with an illuminated sculpture along North Bund. Seen embracing the moon is none other than KAWS’ iconic COMPANION figure who arrives just in time to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival.

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With the Huangpu River and Shanghai’s dazzling skyline in the background, the first light sculpture in the KAWS:HOLIDAY series pays tribute to the tradition of lighting lanterns to blaze a path to prosperity and good fortune during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The result is a grand mixture of contemporary art and millenia-old celebration.

The KAWS:HOLIDAY project in Shanghai was realised in collaboration with long-time partner AllRightsReserved and JFJ Productions, a music production company headed by renowned singer-songwriter JJ Lin. A grand opening ceremony, with KAWS and AllRightsReserved founder SK in attendance, saw JJ Lin present an opening music piece as the sun set and the moon rose, marking the start of a new dialogue between art and the city.

In conjunction with the installation, which runs from August 29 to September 1, KAWS and ARR have launched a series of exclusive collectibles. Featured are a “KAWS:HOLIDAY” Shanghai Vinyl figure fitted with a fluorescent moon component, fluorescent packaging, and a certified NFC chip of authenticity. Wearables include a special-edition reflective hoodie and other collectible items include a ceramic mug with custom “SHANGHAI” lettering and a mooncake gift set featuring egg custard mooncakes and plates. The “KAWS:HOLIDAY” collection is now available via the Shanghai pop-up store and online.