OVERCUP BLOG — the tall trees of tokyo

Ema plaques are a ubiquitous sight in Japan. But what are they, exactly? These small wooden plaques are usually purchased at Shinto shrines. People buy them, add a wish or a prayer, and then hang them up on the shrine grounds, sending well wishes to the departed. Hellion Gallery curator, Matt Wagner, has taken the concept of ema plaques one step further with his annual art show featuring more than three dozen artists who repurpose the plaque format to create one-of-a-kind art pieces. This year, the art show will span three continents with shows in Tokyo; Portland, Oregon; and Paris. With 41 artists...