ZAKKA NYC (155 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn NY11201), an art and design store that has introduced Japanese culture to New York for 20 years, will close its doors in August.
The store opened in 1994 on the outskirts of SoHo selling soft vinyl monster toys and figurines, Japanese design magazines, manga, and art-related goods. It became known as a library of Japanese culture and subculture, represented by Godzilla and Astro Boy. In addition to its collection of graphic design books, it also hosted street art shows, and its unique connections made it a favorite among New York artists, including leading graffiti artists Futura2000, KAWS, Costas Seremetis, and Ryan McGnness.
In October 2007, it relocated to Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood, expanding its gallery space and hosting a variety of events. This spring, the space was once again provided as a gallery for the "Establishment of a Japan Creative Information Base in the US" project, which is part of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Cool Japan Strategy Promotion Project. In collaboration with design magazine +81, an exhibition of works by Hattori Kazunari, Nakajima Hideki & Inaba Hideki was held.
As the final event, the space will hold "ZAKKA "TREATMENT" 20th Anniversary" from August 3rd to 15th, which will include an exhibition of archived works. After the store closes, current owner Okazaki Toshiki is scheduled to open a new concept shop as director.
