Mixtape Paradise (Pocko Japan)
Dates: Saturday, January 25 – Saturday, February 15, 2025
Hours: Thursday to Monday, 13:00–19:00 (*by appointment only Tuesday-Wednesday)
Location: Pocko Gallery Tokyo House Nishiazabu 5F, 2-7-5 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 106-0031 (10 minutes from Omotesando Station (Exit A5))
Ardhira Putra, a Jakarta-based Indonesian motion designer and illustrator, takes you on a vibrant journey through Mixtape Paradise, his first solo exhibition in Japan. This immersive showcase celebrates the essence of 1980s and 90s pop culture, offering a nostalgic retreat where childhood memories meet modern artistry.
"City pop" is no longer a fad, but has now become an established stream of culture. A new city pop scene is now emerging outside of Japan and around the world, and Ardhira, with his deep love of Japanese pop culture, is playing an important role in this new scene.
Inspired by his upbringing in Jakarta, when television, music, early internet, comics, toys, and video games defined entertainment, Putra’s work distils these iconic elements into bold colours and pixelated visuals. Mixtape Paradise captures peaceful moments—listening to music, collecting cherished items, and daydreaming—while celebrating life’s simple pleasures.
In today’s fast-paced world, Putra’s exhibition provides a much-needed sanctuary. Visitors are invited to reconnect with their inner child in a space warmed by retro aesthetics, posters, and nostalgic nods to early internet culture.
“With my art, I hope to inspire exploration and connection, encouraging visitors to
reflect on their own nostalgic memories and find joy in simplicity.”
ABOUT:
Ardhira Putra Born in Jakarta in 1988, Ardhira Putra is a celebrated motion designer and illustrator. A graduate of Multimedia University in Malaysia, he received the Indonesian Film Festival’s Best Animation award in 2016 for Surat untuk Jakarta. Since 2017, Putra has worked independently, blending vintage Asian pop culture with a surreal, city-pop aesthetic in his illustrations and animations.
EXHIBITIONS:
● Parkscape Escapades, Solo Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2024)
● Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Busan, Korea (2023)
● Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair (2024)
● Jakarta Illustration Art Fair(2023) Featured in:
● It's Nice That [UK] (2022)
● Creative Boom [UK] (2021)
● Motionographer [US] (2021)
● Creative Review [UK] (2021)
Dates: Saturday, January 25 – Saturday, February 15, 2025
Hours: Thursday to Monday, 13:00–19:00 (*by appointment only Tuesday-Wednesday)
Location: Pocko Gallery Tokyo House Nishiazabu 5F, 2-7-5 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0031 (10 minutes from Omotesando Station (Exit A5))
Opening Event: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Preview from 15:00- 18:00 // Exhibition party from 18:00–21:00
with chilled beats by DJ Kentachis, aka Kento Tanaka (Creative Director at Apple), as he transforms the gallery into a vibrant fusion of sound and art.