Artwork Meets Shopping

MOON-COLLECTIVEI’d received an invite to the grand opening of in4mation’s Ala Moana store Nov. 3, so I stopped by to check it out.

I’ve always had a ton of respect for the guys over there and how they operate. The store’s located downstairs between AT&T and Hilo Hattie, and it’s worth checking out just to see the artwork by graffiti artist Angry Woebots, who has painted some of his iconic pandas peeking their heads out from places all around the store, along with a giant figurine in the entryway. There’s also a ton of new shirts from the brand itself, as well as some other locally rooted streetwear designers like HNRS, Aloha Army, Moon Collective and more.

Since in4mation moved from its Mc-Cully location, Lightsleepers has moved in and opened up shop. Lightsleepers has been one of Honolulu’s most active hip-hop crews for decades. Since I was in middle school, Kavet the Catalyst was the go-to DJ for any of the big skateboarding events, from contests to pro demos, and he often introduced people to underground sounds. Expect to find some rare vinyls and maybe even discover some new music acts. Over the past few years, the Lightsleepers brand has ramped up in expanding into apparel. Their fashion is inspired by hiphop, and I’m excited for their business venture and the new shop.

It’s proving to be a big month for shopping: Also set to debut next week is the new Bloomingdale’s and retail wing at Ala Moana Center. While you’re in the mall, you can check out Honolulu-based artist Kamran Samimi’s sculpture Elevation inspired by Mauna Kea at clothing store Kit and Ace. Samimi has been getting his art out there lately, with an installation at Mori’s Art + Flea — and he recently erected large-scale bamboo sculpture Ascent inspired by ikebana at Thomas Square Park across from Honolulu Museum of Art.

For another form of art, there’s an upcoming dance performance debuting that’s been under production for the past few months. It is a continuation of Body Portal Theatre’s FLOOD / turn the tide series entitled Where Water Meets Land. There will be shuttle buses leaving the Kaka‘ako area to an undisclosed location along the water’s edge, where the dance will take place. The performance explores the connections between land and water — and it’s been one of the more interesting public works series that I’ve been following, with site-specific dance pieces taking place at water sources around the island.

Tickets are available at bodyportaltheatre.com for the limited seating Nov. 14 showing.

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