Opened “Kara no Toy Box,” an exhibition of models made with Akibako! (Omachi, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture)

Amazing transformations!

Package craft artist Kazuma Takahashi, who makes models from empty boxes of sweets and other items, recently opened his gallery “Kara no Toy Box” in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture.

Gallery “Kara no Toy Box” opened on Gangi Dori, Omachi 5-chome, Joetsu City.

Kazuma Takahashi is from Joetsu City. He is the creator of “package craft,” using empty boxes of sweets and other items to make animals, insects, buildings, and other items.

The work features a design that makes use of the logo and patterns on the package.

This is a stall using empty chocolate snack boxes. The characters are cut out to look like shopkeepers. The logo is used as a sign for the stall.

In addition, there is a three-dimensional work on display, in which a painting is divided into parts like a puzzle, cut, and then assembled. The theme of this work is Picasso’s paintings.

A visiting elementary school student said, “The work made from Dali’s painting is impressive. As expected, I had no idea that this (Dali’s) work would become a person”.

The gallery was previously located in Myoko City, but was relocated because it had become too cramped. To commemorate the opening, approximately 50 works of art are on display at the gallery. Mr. Takahashi says he would like to promote Joetsu through his artwork in the future.

Package craft artist Kazuma Takahashi
I mainly exhibit my works, but I also want people to enjoy not only looking at them, but also making them. It would be fun to hold a craft class using packages of products and snacks related to Joetsu, or to hold an actual teaching event at a store.

The “Kazuma Takahashi’s Work” exhibition commemorating the opening will be open until the 27th of next month, except Thursdays and Fridays. Craft workshops will be held every Saturday or Sunday. For more information, please visit Mr. Takahashi’s Instagram.