It's a very unique gallery and there we can enjoy variable arts, for example, artistic dolls, stuffed animals, japanese paintings, and contemporary arts.

Asakusabashi Parabolica-bis Yuko Yamao + Tari Nakagawa “Wings and Crown” exhibition Until 3/15 (Sun), 2020 2/22 I visited on an invitation from my younger sister's email newsletter. My sister wanted the miniature book being sold at this exhibition and wanted to see the piece of the lady-in-waiting wearing a crown. This time it was a collaboration with the works of author Yuko Yamao, mainly showcasing works by doll artist Tari Nakagawa. It was a small-scale exhibition this time, but the works had a strong sense of their own world. Ever since the gallery opened, they had been sending me DMs with invitations because I'd purchased works there, so I often came to see exhibitions. But it seems the gallery will close in May 2020, so I wanted to visit while I still could. It's a bit far from the station, but it's in a quiet spot down an alley off the main street. The retro, symmetrical building with its mirrored circles and arches is striking, and its old smell gives it an almost ruin-like atmosphere, which I think suited the image of “Yaso” and the dolls and illustrations it handled. I make my living from creative illustration work myself, so I'd hoped that someday they might handle my work here too. That will never come true now, but I'm truly glad I got to encounter so many works by so many people. Thank you very much.

There was once a publisher called “Peyotl Kobo” that published books centered on fantasy literature and decadent art. Headed by Yuichi Konno, it put out several innovative magazines no other publisher could match, and the magazine “Yaso” in particular was synonymous with Peyotl Kobo. Featured topics included the Nouvelle Vague, dolls, minerals, surrealism, plays, goth, and more. “Yaso” ceased publication when Peyotl Kobo dissolved, but it was revived in 2003. And the gallery opened as part of Yaso's activities is Parabolica-bis. So the genres this gallery handles are the themes of “Yaso” magazine. A place where you can keep dreaming a never-ending dream. What's more, it shows a different face every time you visit. You'll never see the same exhibition twice. It's always a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. They hold events regularly too, including artist talk shows and dance performances, so it's a gallery you can't take your eyes off. (Added February 2020) It has been decided that the gallery will close in May 2020. Just as “Yaso” was revived, I hope it will surely come back someday.

These are photos from Tari Nakagawa's exhibition. A gallery that hosts solo exhibitions by artists who lean a bit toward subculture. If it were a magazine, it'd be something like Yaso. They hold a wide range of exhibitions, from dolls to illustrations. Admission costs 1000 yen, but they plan exhibitions of artists you'd want to see even if you have to pay.

On rainy days it's damp and smelly. Maybe it's because the exhibits are things like dolls, but the building itself feels like a creepy mansion.