1 January 2025
Smiley® Collaborates with Japanese Artist Ryuji Kamiyama for Exhibition at Beijing’s Taikoo Li Sanlitun
January, 2025 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Smiley® has collaborated with Japanese graffiti artist Ryuji Kamiyama and launched a global exhibition at Beijing Taikoo Li Sanlitun. The collaboration combines festive cheer with edgy street art to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the “Let’s Smile” festival season.
A Shared Love for Originality
Smiley® has always championed the spirit of “We Are All Original,” a philosophy that aligns seamlessly with Kamiyama’s vision of celebrating individuality and inspiring the next generation of creatives. Kamiyama’s signature Ratface character effortlessly integrates with Smiley’s iconic yellow face, brought to life through his bold and dynamic graffiti style. His art pulsates with the energy of urban culture, transforming everyday elements into vivid and emotionally charged masterpieces.
This exhibition takes the collaboration to the next level, fusing Ratface and Smiley into a fresh, street-inspired aesthetic. Together with Taikoo Li Sanlitun’s “Let’s Fashion Forward” spirit, this partnership delivers a cutting-edge celebration of creativity and culture.
To celebrate the Chinese Year of the Snake, the central art installation of Smiley® x Ratface draws inspiration from traditional Chinese pavilions, with the entire structure designed in the shape of a snake to honor the Chinese Zodiac.
The Smiley® x Ryuji Kamiyama joint exhibition will also be hosted at the Art Gallery. Ryuji Kamiyama’s original Snake Year artworks will be on display, featuring a creative fusion of Smiley and Ratface through his unique painting style.
The Smiley® x Ryuji Kamiyama collaboration comes to life at Taikoo Li Sanlitun, turning it into the most buzzworthy social destination of the festive season. More than just an artistic celebration, this event bridges a globally recognized cultural icon with a local trendsetting landmark. Through art installations, interactive experiences, and festive performances, it delivers a unique blend of smiles and creativity, offering the public an unforgettable experience.
Additionally, Smiley’s collaboration with Ryuji Kamiyama spans a wide range of product categories, including food and beverage, home textiles, fashion, and jewelry. Through imaginative and dynamic partnerships, the Smiley x Ratface collaboration has been brought to life by brands such as Zakuzaku Ice Cream and Kklue Jewelry, delivering consumers a fresh and innovative experience.
Nicolas Loufrani, CEO of The Smiley Company said, “We are delighted to collaborate with a Japanese artist for the first time and to bring this exceptional exhibition to life at Taikoo Li Sanlitun, the vibrant heart of Beijing. The partnership with Ryuji Kamiyama perfectly captures the spirit of Smiley, blending innovative creativity with avant-garde artistry to inspire and engage a broader audience.”.
ABOUT SMILEY®
Smiley® has been spreading joy and optimism to generations since French journalist Franklin Loufrani created the trademarked brand in 1972.
Originally a gesture to urge readers of the newspaper France-Soir to ‘Take the Time to Smile’, soon this ubiquitous symbol of happiness became the most recognised and important icon in graphic design.
In 1996 Nicolas Loufrani, son of Franklin, took over the helm, steering Smiley into the digital revolution. Creating a whole new way of communicating, he added a variety of facial expressions to the original Smiley – his emoticons are now sent around the world infinitely.
Continuing to influence modern culture, Smiley is one of the world’s top global licensing enterprises collaborating on high-profile activities spanning fashion, art, homeware, food and beverage. Major partnerships include Loewe, Moschino, Raf Simons, Eastpak and LA-based Market, who produce the Market Smiley Baseball – a cultural icon.
Maintaining Smiley’s friendly mantra, Loufrani created Smiley Movement in 2017. The non-profit community works across multimedia platforms aiming to inspire positive change in society addressing urgent societal and environmental problems.
About Smiley® x Ryuji Kamiyama
Ryuji Kamiyama’s iconic RatFace character, born in Shibuya in 2016, symbolizes the longing for light and love. This time, RatFace meets the optimistic and cheerful Smiley, brought to life through Kamiyama’s bold strokes. By blending street art with Smiley’s classic yellow face, Kamiyama injects new artistic vitality into this global icon. Smiley’s “Be Original” ethos perfectly aligns with Kamiyama’s commitment to creativity and originality.
ABOUT Taikoo Li Sanlitun
As one of Beijing’s top lifestyle hubs, Taikoo Li Sanlitun blends global fashion, music, art, and design to create a space that’s always ahead of the curve. Its “Let’s Fashion Forward” philosophy keeps it a vibrant, ever-evolving destination for creative minds and trendsetters.
As featured by LicenseGlobal.com. Read their full coverage of the Smiley x Ryuji Kamiyama: Beijing Art Exhibition