From October 27 to November 3, 2025, the skateboard park at Yoyogi Park BE STAGE hosted “SHIBUYA × HONOLULU WAVE RIDE,” an immersive digital art experience where artwork created by Hawaiian artists responded in real time to the movements of skateboarders.
Visitors were able to experience an interactive projection-mapping installation that blended urban and natural landscapes while bringing together the cultures of skateboarding and surfing.
The event was held free of charge as part of a new cultural exchange program produced by NAKED, INC., commemorating the sister-city partnership between Shibuya and Honolulu, which was officially established in May 2024.
A New Artistic Experience Where the Cultures of Shibuya and Honolulu Intersect
In May 2024, Shibuya and Honolulu officially established a sister-city partnership. To celebrate this relationship, “SHIBUYA × HONOLULU WAVE RIDE” was created as a new artistic experience where Honolulu’s surf culture and Shibuya’s skateboarding culture intersect.
The program was presented in collaboration with SOCIAL INNOVATION WEEK 2025, an urban festival centered on innovation and culture. Set within the skateboard park at Yoyogi Park BE STAGE, the installation featured artwork by Hawaiian artists that reacted dynamically to the movements of skateboarders. As riders moved through the park, light and visual effects expanded across the space through an interactive projection-mapping system.
Urban and natural environments, skateboarding and surfing, Shibuya and Honolulu—these seemingly different cultures came together in a shared creative space. The result was an art program that offered visitors a new form of cultural exchange, where movement and light resonated with one another to create an immersive and collaborative experience.
Participating Artist
Nick Kuchar
Nick Kuchar is an Oahu-based artist best known for his vintage-inspired surf and travel artwork that captures the timeless beauty and spirit of the Hawaiian Islands. Drawing inspiration from the natural landscapes and rich culture that surround him, his work reflects a deep connection to place and the spirit of aloha.
His creative process begins with exploration. Whether paddling out to a surf break, hiking scenic trails, or observing the subtle details that define each island, Kuchar gathers sketches and photographs that later serve as the foundation for his studio work.
In the studio, he combines traditional techniques such as acrylic washes and silkscreen printing with digital illustration, creating artwork that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. Through his art, Kuchar aims to share the sense of wonder, warmth, and adventure that defines life in Hawaii.
Kate Wadsworth
Kate Wadsworth grew up on the beautiful windward coast of Oahu, Hawaii, where she continues to work as an illustrator and graphic designer.
After spending several years on the U.S. East Coast, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Her experience living in the multicultural city of Richmond further deepened her interest in figure drawing and urban sketching.
Strongly inspired by the natural world, Wadsworth is known for her use of bold colors, exaggerated forms, and intentional linework. Through these elements, she creates narratives rich in subtle yet meaningful symbolism.
Throughout her career, Wadsworth has collaborated with a diverse range of clients both in the United States and internationally. Notable projects include creating poster artwork for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and the Sony Open in Hawaii, as well as editorial illustrations for publications such as Hawaii Business Magazine, Los Angeles Times, and NBC News.
She also published her first picture book through Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Books.
Lauren Trangmar
Lauren Trangmar is an artist, illustrator, and graphic designer with roots in both Hawaii and New Zealand. She is currently based on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
Trangmar is known for her highly detailed illustrations, which draw inspiration from the traditions of historical and scientific illustration while incorporating contemporary and playful elements. The result is a distinctive visual style that balances precision with imagination.
Outside the studio, she is an avid swimmer, diver, hiker, and runner. Her adventures in nature continually fuel her curiosity and creativity, serving as a major source of inspiration for her work.
Throughout her career, Trangmar has created work for a wide range of clients and exhibitions across the United States, including Hawaiian Airlines, American Savings Bank, the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design, and the Honolulu Museum of Art.
Her artwork is included in numerous public and private collections around the world, including the permanent collection of the Honolulu Museum of Art and the Art in Public Places collection managed by the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Gary Lee
Gary Lee, also known as GaryDrawsFish, is an illustrator and painter from Oahu, Hawaii.
Inspired by the ocean, imagination, and local island life, he brings a playful spirit to everything he creates—from humorous fish characters to colorful murals and fine art pieces.
His work blends the spirit of aloha, humor, and storytelling, celebrating the beauty of marine life through a distinctly Hawaiian perspective. When he is not creating artwork or designing new “fishy friends,” Gary enjoys cooking, exploring new ideas, and discovering new ways to connect people through art and laughter.
About SOCIAL INNOVATION WEEK 2025
SOCIAL INNOVATION WEEK 2025 is an urban festival held throughout Shibuya under the theme of “Creating the Future of Cities Through the Fusion of Culture and Technology.”
Bringing together a wide range of fields—including art, music, fashion, technology, and sustainability—the festival serves as a platform for showcasing next-generation lifestyles, ideas, and forms of creative expression.
By connecting creators, businesses, and local communities from Japan and around the world, the program offers visitors the opportunity to experience the unique blend of innovation and cultural exchange that defines Shibuya. Through diverse events and collaborative projects, SOCIAL INNOVATION WEEK 2025 explores new possibilities for urban life and creative engagement in the years ahead.