There's a "revealing and surprising" element in zippers, says artist Jun Kitagawa, seen here with his painting at Tokyo's Roppongi Tunnel.
Jun Kitagawa's street art —
There's a "revealing and surprising" element in zippers, says artist Jun Kitagawa, seen here with his painting at Tokyo's Roppongi Tunnel.
Madison Park/CNN
Ever wanted to zip open your house and see what's under the floor? Kitagawa installed zippers in a Tokyo apartment set for demolition. The zipper is made of wood and doesn't actually close the floors.
For display purposes only —
Ever wanted to zip open your house and see what's under the floor? Kitagawa installed zippers in a Tokyo apartment set for demolition. The zipper is made of wood and doesn't actually close the floors.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
Kitagawa built this temporary 3D installation in a pond at Tokyo's Chinzansou Hotel. The opening of the zipper holds a mirror reflecting back at the sky. The installation is no longer on display.
What lies beneath —
Kitagawa built this temporary 3D installation in a pond at Tokyo's Chinzansou Hotel. The opening of the zipper holds a mirror reflecting back at the sky. The installation is no longer on display.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
Unable to sell his racy T-shirts, Kitagawa got his start in public art 17 years ago when he dressed naked sculptures in white tees.
Classic art, classic tees —
Unable to sell his racy T-shirts, Kitagawa got his start in public art 17 years ago when he dressed naked sculptures in white tees.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
Some don't see Kitagawa's work as art. His pieces have been described as "obscene" by one Japanese newspaper and also criticized as acts of vandalism.
Art or vandalism? —
Some don't see Kitagawa's work as art. His pieces have been described as "obscene" by one Japanese newspaper and also criticized as acts of vandalism.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
Kitagawa says he fashioned this display out of balloons and T-shirts because it makes people laugh.
Balloon bottoms —
Kitagawa says he fashioned this display out of balloons and T-shirts because it makes people laugh.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
"I want to make a work that takes two extreme elements -- the highest and lowest," says Kitagawa.
Extreme combinations —
"I want to make a work that takes two extreme elements -- the highest and lowest," says Kitagawa.
Courtesy Kitagawa Jun
Stuck with hundreds of T-shirts following a failed business venture, Kitagawa found a creative use for them with this installation in Japan's Kanegawa Prefecture.
Art born from surplus —
Stuck with hundreds of T-shirts following a failed business venture, Kitagawa found a creative use for them with this installation in Japan's Kanegawa Prefecture.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa
Enjoying the shade under a ceiling painted by Kitagawa. The artist is often commissioned to provide installations for cities, festivals and cultural events.
Beauty in unlikely spaces —
Enjoying the shade under a ceiling painted by Kitagawa. The artist is often commissioned to provide installations for cities, festivals and cultural events.
Courtesy Kitagawa Jun
Some of Kitagawa's work for shopping malls and plazas has commercial appeal, such as this simple flower balloon art.
Floating flowers —
Some of Kitagawa's work for shopping malls and plazas has commercial appeal, such as this simple flower balloon art.
Courtesy Jun Kitagawa