Essay by Luke Foster
Dr. Tenma: We have to go.
Astro Boy: This is it. This is what I was created for. This is my destiny.
Dr. Tenma: Toby, now!
Astro Boy: I’m sorry but this is who I am. Onward and upward…Dad.
Astro Boy Quote
When I was in Seoul and Tokyo last year for a backpacking holiday I enjoyed the young people’s street fashion and also bought a book in Incheon South Korea in the underground markets titled: “Seoul and Tokyo my Signature Style” and I can’t read it but can just look at the wonderful pictures. The fashion in Seoul and Tokyo is so funky and has an original style of its own that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.
For my own fashion I enjoy shopping at outlet stores for discount name brands at Harbour town in Queensland Australia with my best friend Tristan. I mix and match this shopping with other shops at my cool local mall. I also scour op shops such as Vinnie’s for 2nd hand clothes which I mix and match new and 2nd hand. This is a great way to support op charities and to look funky and have positive self-esteem and pride in you.
The good thing about fashion is it’s about creative self-expression and takes self-esteem and takes belief in you. There is a tenuous link between fashion and World Vision but World Vision doesn’t just restore hope and belief in children in the developing world but also in their health and very livelihoods. This essay does not express the beliefs of World Vision but is coming off my own bat but I hope they enjoy the fact that I am trying to promote their amazing cause.
In Japan and Korea I enjoyed sitting in cafes and restaurants watching the young people walking by in their cool funky fashion. I also enjoyed visiting book stores looking for cool art books about my favourite Japanese artist: Yoshitomo Nara. I also enjoyed going to manga art exhibitions in Tokyo and the arty section of Seoul in Insadong. The manga exhibitions reminded me of my art school buddy come famous artist Sean Cordeiro partner with Claire Healy and artistic collaborator. Because at College of Fine Arts he made a huge Astro Boy sculpture from plaster and a metal frame. It ended up being on the cover of the Sydney Morning Herald with him for the Sculpture by the Sea exhibit between Bondi and Clovelly on the foreshore in the late 90s.
“World Vision is Australia’s largest charitable group. World Vision helps over 20 million people every year, thanks to the support of more than 400,000 Australians.
World Vision provides relief in emergency situations and works on long-term community development projects. Together, these address the causes of poverty and help people move towards self-sufficiency.” World Vision Website
World Vision is mainly about supporting children in the developing world. If you give to World Vision or sponsor a child you can turn their life around.
Street fashion in Tokyo
Street Fashion in Tokyo
Important work by World Vision
Art work by Sean Cordeiro and Claire Healy
Painting by Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara