Hello Kitty

• Glittering and adorned with stickers, cute plasters and whimsical jewellery, they, like this exhibition, stand out in the late-January weather.
• It can only be the gallery’s new exhibition on Cute – the first large-scale exhibition to examine the phenomenon.
• This encapsulates the most obvious secondary function of cute – intense consumerism, and its ability to sell objects of all kinds.

Cute is a slippery word

• Playing on the word “slipperiness”, which is invoked several times in the catalogue, the exhibition’s efforts to put cute into distinct categories wrestles with its fluid qualities, which clamour for attention among the many objects on display.
• Objects of all kinds harness the differing qualities of cute to incite emotions – of sympathy, tenderness, love and desire.
• The “cute universe” offers a deeper look at the concept through displays on community, how cute can disguise agendas, the juxtaposition of cute and horror and the glistening promise of cute as a future lifestyle aesthetic.

Playing with scale

• The exhibition also plays with scale, with both oversized and undersized installations.
• This makes visitors feel they’ve become children once again, playing with tiny toys or experiencing an oversized world.
• Within cute is a performance of desire, filling in the gap between what we have and what we have lost.
• And yet, as I thought about the exhibition on my journey home, I craved a second helping.

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Hui-Ying Kerr received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council for her Doctorate in History of Design on Japanese
culture in the 1980s economic bubble.

• Initially launched online at buildabear.com earlier this month, these plushies expand upon Build-A-Bear's existing line of Sanrio products including Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, clothing and accessories.
• With the popularity of our existing Hello Kitty and friends collection, these new collectibles are sure to be fan favorites and make great gifts for your Sanrio fans on your list.
• The Hello Kitty and Friends collection by Build-A-Bear is only available while supplies last.
• With the growing popularity of brand enthusiasts and collectors, the company has increased product introductions to surprise and delight this audience.

• Showcase has just unveiled its Trending Holiday Faves List, and this season's lineup is unbelievably awesome!
• While retailers traditionally secure their holiday merchandise in the summer, Showcase is not your typical retailer!
• Showcase shelves are replenished with new products daily, providing customers with the hottest and newest products faster than other retailers.
• For some holiday shopping inspo, here is a list of the Showcase Trending Holiday Faves including stocking stuffers.

• Hello Kitty wants to promote friendship to everyone in the world – including in the digital space.
• In anticipation of her 50th anniversary, Hello Kitty will release several digital promotions, reaching both existing fans and new generations to continue discovering Hello Kitty online.
• Global DJ and avid Hello Kitty fan, Steve Aoki, comments, "Ever since I was a kid I've had a deep love for everything Hello Kitty.
• TikTok: To celebrate Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary, a dedicated Hello Kitty animation account, "This is Hello Kitty" (@this_is_hellokitty_), has been launched on TikTok, and up to four short animations of Hello Kitty will be posted every month.