Hoop Dreams
Artist: Dani Kawaii
This art installation is a celebration of the ethereal experience of yearning for athletic achievement. Hoop Dreams carries the nostalgia of a game winning shot, discovering dirty socks left in your gym bag, and the meditative stillness of an empty gym.
The project consists of slip casted ceramic basketballs adorned with custom ceramic charms, iridescent beads, and upcycled basketball chain nets to create and recall a fond memory we carry as lifetime students of the game.
“Basketball to me, is deeply feminine. It’s emotional, radical, and requires an incredibly sharp focus for the present moment.”
About Dani Kawaii
Dani Kawaii is a Los Angeles based ceramic artist known for her playful motifs on functional and nonfunctional ceramic forms.
In her work, she celebrates the mundane bits of life, creating a moment of stillness, while offering her audience a soft place to land. As a former collegiate basketball player, she’s inspired by the duality of female athletes. She highlights and advocates for women in sports by crafting thoughtful ceramic forms that feel both bold and soft.
Over the last few years, she has shown work through Giant Robot Gallery on Sawtelle and created custom work for brands such as the WNBA, Nike, Round21, Zig Zag, Universal Studios, Amazon, Ryoko Rain, and more. She aims to push the boundary for athletes and artists to express a softer perspective, reminding us of the quiet collective experiences life offers us.
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