Kathy Aoki’s “#WishYouWereHere” Hello Kitty Monument Exhibit | San Jose

Submitted by the Event Organizer

With her iconic pink bow, anthropomorphic cat figure, and set of exactly six whiskers, it is hard to not recognize Hello Kitty when you see her. The ever cute and wildly popular Sanrio character can be found on almost any consumer product, including notebooks, lunch boxes, shoes, jewelry, bedspreads, etc.

According to the Santa Clara-based artist and historian Kathy Aoki, the Hello Kitty craze and fandom has only escalated over the years, so much so that in 2007 her likeness was carved atop a mountain region and the Hello Kitty Monument was born. Unfortunately, in 2011, the Monument was demolished due to an excavation of precious minerals that existed within the mountainside.

However, thanks to the work and dedicated efforts of Aoki, the memory of the monument lives on for generations to come.

Kathy Aoki’s Hello Kitty Monument Exhibit
Sunday, June 24, 2018 | Public Reception: 2 to 4 pm
On View: June 23 – September 9, 2018
San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, 560 South First St, San Jose
FREE

Aoki pays homage to the cute, iconic figure and transforms the ICA into the home of a larger-than-life diorama of the monument. In addition, the diorama serves as a prime location for a perfect selfie. Make your way to the ICA to take a photo with the diorama—it’s almost as if you were there.

Viewers are invited to check-in at the monument and contribute their portraits to the online archive. The Hello Kitty Monument Diorama and Visitor Center will host audio interviews, video, an interactive map, and artifacts that inform guests about the legacy of the monument.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.