CASUAL Magazine Hosts a Unique Artist Exhibit in Tokyo KURA

A Unique Exhibition in Tokyo's Creative Space

CASUAL Magazine is set to unveil an exceptional exhibition featuring the works of 30 remarkable artists at the newly opened UltraSuperNew KURA. This marks the first group show in this innovative space, promising an unpredictable yet thrilling experience for art enthusiasts and the general public alike. Join us at the venue to witness creativity unfold in real-time!

CASUAL Project: Tokyo Edition

The fourth edition of CASUAL, titled 'CASUAL VOL.4: Tokyo,' serves as a curation project highlighting diverse artists based in the vibrant city of Tokyo. The primary focus of this edition is on photography, showcasing the works of 49 artists who explore the creative process by capturing moments in their studios. This exhibition dives deep into themes of lifestyle, philosophy, inspiration, and the unique perspectives of Tokyo's creative community.

It records a broad spectrum of expressive individuals, including painters, photographers, designers, illustrators, and sculptors. The goal here is to catalog both emerging talents and well-established artists, revealing their thoughts and processes in a way that intimately reflects Tokyo's artistic spirit.

Mike Chaney, the director of CASUAL Magazine, passionately leads this series, which has evolved into his life's work. Previously, editions have been created in cities like London, São Paulo, and Barcelona. By continuously documenting global creativity, he seeks to illuminate elements that characterize each community while finding common ground that unites us all.

The journey of this project began serendipitously in 2017 during a visit to Sydney, Australia, where Mike recorded local artists. He noted the significant reflection of local culture, climate, and community in their works, discovering intriguing similarities that sparked his interest in how regional influences shape artistic creation. This realization led him to delve into the theme of locality's evolution on artistic production.

Today, the CASUAL project continues to expand as it reaches its fourth edition, aiming for even broader representation and impact.

Meet Mike Chaney

Mike Chaney is a filmmaker and photographer from the UK, currently based in Barcelona. His creative journey took a transformative turn in his teenage years when an encounter with law over graffiti compelled him to find new outlets for self-expression. Consequently, he immersed himself in photographing graffiti rather than creating it, an unintended twist that led to a successful career in art documentation.

Mike's driving force has always been curiosity. As a creative individual himself, he harbors a strong desire to explore various forms of expression. Walking into artists' studios and documenting diverse creative processes and talents through his lens has provided him significant inspiration, ultimately shaping the foundation of what he now calls the CASUAL project.

CASUAL stands as Mike's largest project to date, serving both as a representation of his expression and a tribute to global artist communities. As a traveler, he finds his true self in distant places; the shared ground and familiarity within these spaces bring him immense gratitude. No matter if he is in Barcelona, São Paulo, London, or Tokyo, the community provides a continuous source of inspiration, curiosity, and kindness.