Rave scene alive in “Kids With Candy”

Art show Kids With Candy opened Friday with house and electro music booming with surrounding vivid portraits of today’s rave scene.

Jennifer Takeda, 23, a drawing and painting major, opened her eclectic show to music that inspired her days in the rave scene growing up.

DJs Jake Liu and Mike Good were on hand spinning tunes that kept attendees entertained. Liu exclaimed that he “loved Jen’s art show.” With bright colors and animated subjects in her work, it was clear that many observers enjoyed her gallery as well.

Takeda explained that these paintings were “portraits of people in the rave scene and the candy bracelets signify the culture.” Raves that Takeda attended and drew creativity from were the Electric Daisy Carnival, Beyond Wonderland and Perish Parties at Vanguard.

“Her artwork was very expressive and intriguing,” said Good. Showcasing attention to detail and dazzling hues, Takeda displayed to the crowd how exciting the raves were.

“This is my story, a nocturnal adventure filled with dancing, lights and effervescent sounds,” Takeda cited in her artist statement. The congregated art crowd couldn’t help but admire her lust for the rave scene. She also talked about how raves have assembled bits and pieces of who she is today.

“In this place, I have made some of my best friends, worst enemies and everything in between. This collection illustrates my journey through this world and the people who have shaped it into what it is,” Takeda said.

The powerful and realistic paintings of people having fun amid the glowing lights and deep house beats is what enticed spectators to examine the vibrant images at Kids with Candy.

Some of Takeda’s favorite artists are Takashi Murakami, Banksy and Caravaggio. These three artists stimulate her originality to paint representations of people she encounters. Her art is reminiscent of an urbanized style, along with techniques of incorporating flat color as well as blending. The media used were oil paints and acrylics.

Stephanie Santos, another childhood friend of Takeda’s since junior high, said, “Her artwork is really detailed.” Takeda’s reproduction of lifelike portraits of rave participants were striking and impressive. As an accomplished artist, she portrayed the rave scene with exceptional precision.

Many spectators were taken on a journey to some of the biggest raves with an inside look by Takeda’s passion of lights and music. In her statement, Takeda summed up her gallery by stating that raves are a “place where peace, love, unity and respect reign supreme and for one night, we all can come together, be best friends and care for nothing but the fantastic moment we are immersed in.”