Endcall Embraces Nostalgia with Re-imagined Childhood Faves

From Mario to Mickey Mouse, iconic characters are paid their due tribute at Endcall in Sanlitun Soho. This nostalgia-inducing exhibit is going on until the end of the October holiday, making for one more thing to do for non-travelling Beijingers looking to quell their boredom.

Coffee is served towards the rear of the shop but Endcall is more of an exhibit with a barista than a coffee shop with art. The drinks are nothing out of the ordinary with the single exception of the Iced Orange Latte, but unfortunately, we can’t say that it’s worth a try as the flavors don’t mix particularly well. On the other hand, if you are visiting in the evening, a line of Game of Thrones whiskey fits nicely with the pop culture theme.

Much, although not all, of the wall-mounted art is produced via computer with a common through-line of recognizable figures placed into new worlds or depicted in a style that is meant to surprise – a melting Papa Smurf, or Bart Simpson sitting in a corner and reduced to a striped silhouette.

Of particular note are the works of Way Fung, whose art has become popular on Instagram (his handle is @digiway). Living in Amsterdam but holding onto his roots in Hong Kong, Fung’s art regularly alludes to both Chinese and European classics, but use pop figures depicted in triangularities that affirm his computerized style.

A number of figurines are also on display, ranging from Anime to the works of South Korean design studio Superfiction, featuring stop-animation created scenes around four characters from San Francisco.

If you happen to be meandering Sanlitun Soho during the holiday, then the exhibit is worth checking out, but for those who can’t make it, we are sure more interesting things are to come from Endcall.

The Childhood Pop & Art Exhibit will be on display until Oct 7, daily from noon to 9pm.

Endcall
1602, B1, Building 6, Sanlitun Soho, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯SOHO 6 号商场 B1-1602

Looking for more art during the holiday? Read: Beijing as Portrayed by Foreign Photographers: National Week Exhibit at Chaoyang Park

Images: Joey Knotts