Arty malarkey: Best of the bizarre at Tokyo Design Festa

Tokyo Design Festa is a two-day, twice-yearly fiesta of all things remotely artsy. We saw children dance to the Hannah Montana theme song. Tried on crucified bunny necklaces. Lobbed plastic balls at an anime girl. When modern art is the mandate, it appears that anything goes.

CNNGo plowed through the dizzying chaos that spanned four halls and 2,800 booths from all over the world. Here are some of our best picks from the Festa. 

Best musical performance: Psydoll

In a hall full of distractions, Psydoll’s industrial cyberpunk act caught the crowd’s attention. Drummer Loveless hopped like a Chinese zombie as he toyed with digital drums and a Theremin. Lead singer Nekoi wielded a red keytar that matched her hair’s cyber falls. “The songs are from our new album, 10spyglasses,” she said. “It’s a post-apocalyptic call-to-arms, all through the eyes of robotic crazies. Magic stuff.”

Kookiest costume: Mr. Ballhead

We saw plenty of bizarre mascots wandering around Design Festa. None were as pitiful as Mr Ballhead, aka Helpless King. He spewed little white balls out of his giant ball-head, then timidly bowed with arms outstretched like a penguin. What does it all mean? Mr Ballhead refuses to speak but his card reads, “I am a mirror; looking at me, you see yourself.”

Smartest fashion: Zoestyles

If a 1960s mod mated with a 1970s punk, they’d give birth to indie clothing line Zoestyles. Think asymmetrical cuts and fabrics, marked with contrasting circles. Designer Eigo Takada gleefully buttoned us into his Dracula Boss coats with high, pointed collars.

Best live drawing: Kairo Kouri

Kairo Kouri seemed to be nonchalantly doodling on a notepad. But when she held it up, we saw an intricately rendered Victorian maiden. Her colorful 'Doll’s Clown Suite' drawings, which covered the walls of her booth, are inspired by “trapeze and tightrope walking, beasts, puppetry and opera.”

Most surprising artwork: Tama

A 2000 graduate of Osaka’s University of Arts, Tama already has two art books and a list of magazine covers on her resume. She’s known for her cute nymphs, watercolored with round faces and glistening eyes. But when you look closer, you’ll notice these innocent girls are bound and bruised. Or about to be eaten for dinner. “We’ve sold out of 80 percent of the postcards,” she said. “This is our most successful year yet at Design Festa.”

Creepiest dolls: The Other Side

Buddhists call the realm of the dead “the other side” -- a fitting name for a group exhibition of handmade undead dolls. The hair and facial features are incredibly realistic, but with a morbid twist such as horns or suction marks. Presented by Parabolica Bis, the unsettling works will be on display in Asakusa from June 18th to July 5th. Don’t bring your children.

Most promising character: Lucifer’s Wings Devil Cat

Kanagawa-born illustrator KaoriNa renders original characters in pop art and kawaii style. Her Devil Cat is a Hello Kitty for bad girls: he has black wings and a studded collar, and is always doing something naughty. (“He tries to control the human race,” KaoriNa explains.) We were tempted to buy the t-shirts and other goods featuring the bad cat.

Design Festa is a must-see event for art lovers and creative types. The next one will be held on November 6-7, 2010 at Tokyo Big Sight. Tickets may be purchased on site or in advance with a discount on the Design Festa website.