The Vader Project in Japan

The Vader Project in Japan
Photos and words: Bonnie Burton

The Vader Project, an exhibit featuring the reimagined visions of the iconic Darth Vader helmet by some of today's hottest pop and underground artists, is currently on display July 19-21, 2008 at Star Wars Celebration Japan -- at Makuhari-Messe in Chiba just outside Tokyo to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars.

The Vader Project is curated by Dov Kelemer and Sarah Jo Marks of DKE Toys. Kelemer and Marks gathered close to 100 of the hottest underground and pop surrealist painters, artists and toy designers to participate. Each artist was given a 1:1 scale authentic prop replica of the actual Darth Vader helmet used in the Star Wars films. Each helmet served as a blank canvas for each artist to paint, design, mash up, and customize.

To kick off Celebration Japan's display of The Vader Project, I chatted with curator Dov Kelemer about the new additions to the lineup.

Why did you decide to bring The Vader Project to Celebration Japan?
Another Celebration was planned in Japan and based on its past popularity Lucasfilm and the show promoters asked Sarah Jo and I to take the show over to Japan.

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