LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 29, 2024--
In the heart of the UK's bustling young professional scene, a revolution is quietly taking place. It's not about the latest tech start-up or fashion trend—this is the collectible revolution, spearheaded by China's leading name in the game: POP MART. With its unique blend of artistry, mystery, and exclusivity, POP MART is reshaping what it means to be a collector in the modern age. But before diving into POP MART's burgeoning presence in the UK, let's unravel the concept central to its success: the blind box.
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A "blind box" is a sealed package containing a mystery collectible. The thrill? You don't know which character from a series you've got until you open it. This element of surprise has turned collecting from a niche hobby into a mainstream craze. POP MART has mastered this art, producing intricately designed figures that aren't just toys, but pieces of art that appeal to a broad audience, including young professionals who appreciate the blend of design, nostalgia, and the excitement of the chase.
POP MART's expansion into the UK market is a testament to its global appeal. With a permanent store nestled in Westfield Stratford City, a vibrant spot in SOHO, and pop-up stores in Westfield London and Hamleys, POP MART is weaving itself into the fabric of London's cultural scene. Each location is more than just a store; it's a gateway to a world of imagination, community, and discovery. Whether you're a long-time collector or new to the scene, stepping into a POP MART store is an invitation to explore a world where art meets collectibility.
The anticipation builds as POP MART prepares to launch its new store on the iconic Oxford Street, set to open its doors in mid-June. This store promises to be a beacon for collectors and curious alike, showcasing the best of what POP MART has to offer. From limited edition series to collaborations with renowned artists, the Oxford Street store will be a cornerstone for the collectible community in the UK.
POP MART's strategy goes beyond mere retail. It's about creating experiences, fostering a community of collectors, and bringing the joy of blind box collectibles to a wider audience. It's a place where the thrill of the hunt meets the satisfaction of discovery, where artistry is celebrated, and every visit holds the promise of something new and exciting.
POP MART brings the vibrant world of art toys to life in their latest collectibles showcase, where enthusiasts gather to celebrate the joy of creativity and collection. Step into a realm where each meticulously crafted figure isn't just a toy, but a piece of art. (Photo: Business Wire)
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil’s biggest pop star, Anitta, has released a music video depicting rituals of the Afro-Brazilian faith Candomble, sparking controversy in a country where religious intolerance is all too common.
Her track — pointedly named “Accept” — has been viewed over a million times on YouTube since its release on Tuesday. It is a rare personal offering from the artist, who has long practiced the religion in Rio de Janeiro. Anitta said she lost 200,000 of her 65 million followers on Instagram after its release.
“I’ve already talked about my religion countless times, but it seems that leaving an artistic work in my catalog forever was too much for those who don’t accept that others think differently,” Anitta said on social media Tuesday. Trolls deriding Candomble appeared far outnumbered by those expressing support.
Criticism from a minority of social media users continued overnight, and she issued another statement Wednesday to denounce misinformation and jokes targeting Afro-Brazilian faiths.
“Its teachings and its people deserve respect like any other religion,” Anitta said.
Filmed in black and white, the video shows Anitta crouching naked as a priestess in traditional, white attire pours purifying water over her head. In some scenes, she wears a straw dress resembling the head-to-toe covering used by Obaluaê, the orixá or deity of earth and health. The video also showed Catholic iconography, an evangelical Christian service and a Jewish worshipper with a tefillin.
“Anita suffered religious racism, there’s no doubt about it. She can do whatever she wants to do as an artist. But her declaring herself as Candomble means she lost followers,” said Mother Nilce de Iansã, coordinator of the national network for Afro-Brazilian religions and health, during a webinar on the Rio-based Museum of the Republic’s planned exhibition on Afro-Brazilian religious belongings.
As Portuguese Catholic colonists brought African slaves to Brazil, the enslaved men and women developed syncretic blends of their traditional religions with Catholicism, now practiced by a small minority of Brazilians.
Anitta was already known for elevating marginalized populations such as women, residents of the working-class neighborhoods known as favelas, as well as LGBTQ+ and Black people.
The pop star has a subversive side similar to that of Madonna, said Raquel Martins, who holds a doctorate in music from the UNICAMP university. Anitta and Madonna released a track together in 2019 and also shared the stage briefly during Madonna’s biggest-ever concert that took place in Rio on May 4. The show repeatedly invoked religion in provocative manners and Anitta, while on stage, wore a shining crucifix around her neck.
“Anitta is a world-renowned artist. She no longer needs to prove anything to anyone. So what does she do? She makes her art available to encourage debate in society,” said Martins.
Despite their low numbers, practitioners of Afro-Brazilian faiths in recent years have increasingly experienced religious intolerance, particularly at the hands of members of evangelical churches.
“Accept” is part of Anitta’s new album, “Funk Generation.” When first announced, Anitta described it as “an album where I celebrate my roots.”
“It’s a rhythm born in the favelas, where I grew up, and it exudes resistance and art in every community,” she said in a statement.
FILE - Members of the Afro Brazilian faith, Candomble, dance during a ritual honoring Obaluae, the deity of earth and health, at their temple on the outskirts of Salvador, Brazil, Sept. 18, 2022. Brazilian pop star Anitta released a music video Tuesday, May 14, 2024, depicting rituals of the Afro-Brazilian faith Candomble, sparking some controversy. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)
FILE - Brazilian singer Anitta, center, performs at the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro, Oct. 5, 2019. Anitta released a music video Tuesday, May 14, 2024, depicting rituals of the Afro-Brazilian faith Candomble, sparking some controversy. It is a rare personal offering from the artist, who grew up practicing the religion in Rio de Janeiro’s north zone. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)
FILE - Brazilian singer Anitta listens to a question during a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 5, 2019. Anitta released a music video Tuesday, May 14, 2024, depicting rituals of the Afro-Brazilian faith Candomble, sparking some controversy. It is a rare personal offering from the artist, who grew up practicing the religion in Rio de Janeiro’s north zone. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)
FILE - Anitta arrives at the 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards in Seville, Spain, Nov. 16, 2023. Anitta released a music video Tuesday, May 14, 2024, depicting rituals of the Afro-Brazilian faith Candomble, sparking some controversy. It is a rare personal offering from the artist, who grew up practicing the religion in Rio de Janeiro’s north zone. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP File)
FILE - Brazilian singer Anitta performs during the Global Citizen Festival at Central Park in New York, Sept. 23, 2023. Anitta released a music video Tuesday, May 14, 2024, depicting rituals of the Afro-Brazilian faith Candomble, sparking some controversy. It is a rare personal offering from the artist, who grew up practicing the religion in Rio de Janeiro’s north zone. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
