Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd has announced that it will host an exhibition in Tokyo celebrating the heritage of the traditional Japanese kimono.
The KIMONO ROBOTO exhibition, to run for 10 days from 1 December 2017, will showcase a world-first collection of 13 museum-quality kimonos created by Japanese Living National Treasures and Imperial Family-appointed artisans using weaving techniques unseen in over a century.
Melco Resorts Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho described the exhibition as a “passion project”, saying, “Japanese arts and culture have been an inspiration of mine since I was young, and I’m glad to be able to say that it’s an enthusiasm shared throughout the Melco family today. We could not be more honored or excited to celebrate the heritage, culture and arts of Japan alongside our partners and these kimono artisans.”
At the event, the kimonos will be debuted in a “creative extravaganza” composed by several of today’s leading contemporary artists from around the world. Headlining the event will be the global launch of Björk’s latest music video, in which the global superstar dons the “Master of Masterpieces” Furisode Kimono, the exquisite exhibition centerpiece that took over two years to recreate.
Peter Lindbergh, the influential contemporary photographer, will also showcase the kimonos in a high fashion tableau; while Koichiro Doi, the renowned Japanese fashion and beauty photographer, will unveil a set of extraordinary still life portraits of the Kimonos. On the ground, Alexandre de Betak, the runway producer famous for his revolutionary fashion shows, has further masterminded a powerful immersive exhibition experience, accentuated by a kaleidoscope of extraordinary visuals designed by Warren du Preez & Nick Thornton-Jones.
“Japanese culture is inspirational. These kimonos are inspirational,” said Ho. “We truly hope others around the world will find these recreations as remarkable as we have, especially told as they are through the visuals and music of exceptional artists like Bjork.”
Ho has made no secret of his desire to push for a Japan gaming license, telling Inside Asian Gaming earlier this year that, “Japan, for me, really is whatever it takes. We’ll go all in.”
