Why does everything cute fascinate? An exhibition in London on the theme also pays homage to Hello Kitty

Through April 14, 2024, Somerset House in London explores the concept of “cute” with the exhibition Cute, which brings together contemporary artworks, including new commissions, as well as music, fashion, toys, video games, and social media. The aim of the exhibition is to explore the irresistible power of cuteness in contemporary culture.

How did adorable doe-eyed animals, chubby-cheeked babies, flowers, hearts, stars, sweets and other romantic motifs gain so much popularity? From emoji to memes, video games to stuffed animals, food to robotic design, everything “cute,” meaning pretty, cute, adorable, has taken over the present world.

Artists in the exhibition include Mark Leckey, Sean-Kierre Lyons, Aya Takano, Mike Kelley, Karen Kilimnik, Nayland Blake, Cosima von Bonin, Hannah Diamond, Ed Fornieles, Juliana Huxtable, Rachel Maclean, Julien Ceccaldi, Paige KB, Isaac Lythgoe, Alake Shilling , Wong Ping, Liv Preston, CFGNY, Ram Han, Maggie Lee, Bunny Rogers, Flannery Silva, Andy Holden, as well as Somerset House Studios artists Chris Zhongtian Yuan, Sin Wai Kin and Sian Fan.

The exhibition also features a playroom for all ages and celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty, the kitten produced by the Japanese company Sanrio that has become one of the most iconic characters internationally and among the cutest symbols par excellence.

For the duration of the exhibition at Somerset House, one can enter the Hello Kitty-themed Cute Coffee Shop at ARTBOX Cafe, as part of the exhibition dedicated to cuteness. The coffee shop is inspired by Japanese coffee culture with a “kawaii” theme, where even the mundane everyday can be transformed and elevated by cuteness. Hot and cold beverages, piadinas, bagels, sandwiches and pastries will be offered, all Hello Kitty-themed.

Photo by David Parry.

Why does everything cute fascinate? An exhibition in London on the theme also pays homage to Hello Kitty

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