Stumble across time at the third Daniel Arsham x Pokemon collaboration: “A Ripple in Time”

Contemporary artist Daniel Arsham is well-known throughout the art world for his experimental designs that piece together fiction and reality.

Revolving around themes of fantasy, myth, archeology, architecture and history, Arsham’s creations take form in a variety of mediums, from sculpture through to 2D illustration and animation work. Unbound by the limitations of working with a single method, Arsham’s work satisfies all creative tastes and has ultimately led to Arsham becoming one of the most versatile artists of our time.

During the summer of 2020, Arsham got the chance to collaborate with Pokemon, with an exhibition that depicts a world set 1000 years in the future through “fossilized” Pokemon Red and Blue characters.
The first exhibition of the project “ Relics of Kanto Through Time” took place in Tokyo between June and August of 2020, before returning again as the solo exhibition – in Arsham’s stomping grounds of New York – “Time Dilation” during January of 2021. Now, the mash-up is returning with the third edition “A Ripple in Time” taking place once again in Tokyo.

Five venues across Tokyo will play the stage for the “A Ripple in Time” exhibition (making it the largest in the project), and will be showcasing a wide range of works for the project including animations, paintings and drawings as well as Arsham’s iconic sculptures portraying “fossilized” characters from Pokemon Red and Blue.

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Five venues across Tokyo will play the stage for the “A Ripple in Time” exhibition (making it the largest event to date in the project), with each location showcasing different works from the collaboration:

Pokemon of Future Past – Roppongi Hills 66 Plaza, Roppongi
Six of Arsham’s iconic sculptures portraying “crystalized” characters from Pokemon Red and Blue are currently on display at Roppongi Hills 66 Plaza, and will remain so until the 26th of February.
In addition to an individual Arsham “fossilized” Pikachu sculpture that was unveiled at Shibuya Parco last year, the large bronze sculpture lineup includes Jigglypuff, Cubone, Mewtwo and an unidentified Pokemon Trainer (though seemingly resembling trainer Ash/Satoshi) accompanied by Pikachu.

Hidden within the Tall Grass – Sogetsu Plaza, Akasaka
From the 11th to the 20th of February a number of Arsham Pokemon sculptures will be lurking within the grass at Sogetsu Plaza awaiting their “discovery” by visitors.

Field Research – 3110NZ by LDH Kitchen, Meguro
A collection of Arsham’s illustrations for the project, which have been entitled “Field Research” will be on display at art gallery/michelin star sushi restaurant 3110NZ by LDH Kitchen from the 8th of February through to the 6th of March. *3110NZ is no stranger to Arsham’s creativity, having been designed by the artist’s architecture firm Snarkitecture back in 2020.

Ancient Power: Hidden in the Ruins – NANZUKA 2G, Shibuya
From the 11th to the 6th of March a number of works centering around psychic pokemon Mew will be on display at Shibuya Parco’s Nanzuka 2G.

A Ripple in Time – NANZUKA UNDERGROUND, Harajuku
At NANZUKA UNDERGROUND the main highlight will be an animation created in collaboration with the general director of the 1997 TV anime series “Pokemon” Kunihiko Yuyama. In addition, a number of works inspired by Arsham’s concept of “mixed time” will be on display such as pieces inspired by the animation collaboration and paintings depicting the discovery of crystalized pokemon in the year 3020.
The NANZUKA UNDERGROUND exhibit will run from the 12th of February through to the 27th of March.

The teaser for Arsham and Yuyama’s joint anime short can be viewed below.

Merchandise relating to Arsham’s collaboration with Pokemon will also be available to grab at the NANZUKA UNDERGROUND and NANZUKA 2G exhibits. Goods for sale include, “crystalized” plush toys, figurines, keychains, and apparel.

In addition, more than 90 pieces from the Arsham x Pokemon collaboration, since it began in 2020, have been immortalized in the book “Arsham’s Pokedex”.

Published by Bijutsu Shuppansha, the book includes documentation of the series’ sculptures, illustrations and paintings. Each of the sculptures featured in the book have been photographed at a variety of angles, therefore allowing the viewer to enjoy all of their intricacies.
The book also features an interview page with Arsham and Yuyama as they go into detail on the behind the scenes of their anime short “A Ripple in Time”.

A limited number of Arsham’s Pokedex will be available to purchase at the NANZUKA UNDERGROUND exhibit, but if you want to ensure a book without the possibility of rolling up to only to find it sold out, it is now on sale both online and at general bookstores and Pokemon Centers nationwide.

A limited number of individuals who purchase directly from a Junkudo, Kinokuniya or TSUTAYA bookstore will be gifted an original clear file featuring an image of Arsham’s work.