JAKARTA Last weekend was a busy moment for Kasing Lung, an artist from Hong Kong and creator of the iconic character Labubu.
Ahead of the opening of the 10th anniversary exhibition of The Monsters in Shanghai on Sunday, Lung conducted a final check at the exhibition site located inRockfund, ensuring every detail is as expected.
Before leaving the place, he even added a new scribble next to his portrait. This draws the entire family members of The Monsters series, including Labubu which is now known around the world.
Although Labubu is a global phenomenon this year, there are still few people who know the story behind the hairy figure with a sharp smile. The exhibition titled ‘Monsters by Monsters: Now and Then’, the result of a joint curation between How2Work andPop Mart. This is the opening act of their world tour, to coincide withShehai Fashion Week.
Reporting from the WWD page, this exhibition is designed so that visitors can get to know all the characters and stories behind The Monsters’ world in an immersive atmosphere.
One of its main attractions is the six-meter-high Kingmon statue that leads to the ORiental Pearl Tower, the icon of the city of Shanghai. There is also a large wall composed of 1,100 Pop Mart-made Labubu dolls, as well as a magic space at the end of the tour featuring all Labubu works and versions in one place.
But the most special thing is the educational side. This exhibition features about 300 never-published manuscripts and original work of Kasing Lung.
I want people to see how The Monsterster world is formed. Starting from the initial sketches to the characters that are known today,” Lung said.
Lung created The Monsters Universe in 2015, featuring characters such as Mokoko, Spooky, Tycoco, Yaya, Puca, Pippo, Vos, Monster Boy, Pato, and Zaimomo, the leader of the Labubu clan.
The production of plastic figures of these characters was carried out by How2Work, a design studio based in the district of Kwun Tong, Hong Kong.
Their collaboration began in 2011, when Lung became an illustrator of children’s books published in conjunction with collection figures.
In 2019, Lung signed a licensing agreement withPop Mart, a toy giant from China. Since then, Labubu has turned into a fur doll (plus doll) and a box collection, a box containing random toys that makes collectors hunt for hidden editions.
The popularity of Labubu is worldwide, especially because of the third series of the Labubu Big Into Energy which was released by Pop Mart last April.
“I didn’t expect Labubu, which was originally just a supporting character, could be a global phenomenon,” Lung told WWD.
“The story is actually quite dark. Not for children, but children can still enjoy it,” he continued.
The Monsters’ world inspiration comes from Nordic mitology and the story of the people of Northern Europe. Lung, who was born in Hong Kong and now lives in Belgium, said he was also inspired by his childhood comics such as Theos.
“For me, crazy is also a monster, but a cute monster,” he said.
“That’s where the idea to create Labubu emerged,” he continued.
This exhibition runs until November 8 and uses an online reservation system via the WeChat Minigram and the Damai platform.
Every day there will be a lottery with prizes (Raffles) to get a collection of rare Labubu made by How2Work, as well as two versions of Shanghai’s exclusive prize containing a black-haired Labubu doll with a T-shirt with a number 10.
Along with the exhibition, the French luxury brand Moynat launched an exclusive collaboration with Kasing Lung in the form of leather handbags and accessories.
“Many are asking when I will collaborate with luxury brands and Moynatat is my first choice,” Lung said.
The launch event was held at the Moynat boutique, Pudong IFC, followed by an exclusive dinner at the MichelinFu 1015 five-star restaurant.
A typical Shanghai dish such as soy sauce babi with rubber, salted sweet sauce fried fish, and soy milk ice cream with crunchy fried dough served to invited guests. Lung patiently signs every Labubu doll that fans bring.
After Shanghai, Lung and Moynat will continue their tour of Paris’Art in the next two weeks. The collaboration collection will also be sold in several Moynat boutiques in selected cities around the world.
In addition, Kasing Lung is preparing a new picture storyline which is scheduled to be released in 2026, with a new line of characters and this timeLabubuwill be the main character.
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