Mind control and Crowd control

Being a fan of a group of guys who are multitalented is very hard. It's difficult to buy goods and well nigh impossible to attend events unless one is prepared to go to great lengths to do so, for example overnighting it to queue for tickets, travelling miles to reach the place and sitting in front of a computer to ballot/bid for items.

This happens not just for Johnny's but it also happens for other talents. The talent agencies that manage these groups definitely know the power of mind control. Tie the carrot in front of the donkey and the donkey moves forward. The psychology of a fan is in a way the same. Tantalise with something and reap the rewards.

Much as I love the guys that make up the group called 嵐, I have a distinct abhorance for the way the upper management of J-Storm is handling their publicity. Case in point is Ohno Satoshi's Freestyle Exhibition. Yes, it is free but that does not mean that anyone can attend. Although no admittance fee is charged, they are selling "souvenir" goods that is coveted by the fans. Only those that attend gets to buy them. That is fine, very understandable but it's causing an inconvenience to the other patrons.

Why did they not anticipate the number of people that would be attending the exhibition? Some coming from overseas too. In this case the exhibition is too short a time and after all the publicity they had garnered, it is such a waste that the general public is not allowed to view the exhibition because now it has become an exclusive event meant for J-Web members only.

Being a fan, I am very proud of Oh-chan's talents and his debut in the Art world. It is really magnificent that his talents are show cased in such a manner. It would be even better if the general public can view his works and not think that it is just another Johnny's gimmick. He deserves so much more than being used as a commercial for the merchandising of the "souvenir" goods.

For me, I am not envious at all of the fans that got to view his art in minute detail and leisurely time. Neither am I envious that they could buy the "souveniers". I am just very proud that Oh-chan's works are appreciated and I do want more people to appreciate it. Art in any form is only valued if it can be appreciated by the beholder. Why can't Oh-chan's works be exhibited permanently somewhere, admission need not be free, but it is there and people will know of it and can appreciate it over time. Who knows one day "Satochi" maybe as valued as the "Mona Lisa"?