Since 2019, Los Angeles-based streetwear label Brain Dead and Tokyo art unit magma have collaborated on a range of projects that merge apparel, sculpture, and collectible design. Known for their distinct visual identities—Brain Dead through subcultural graphics, magma through playful constructions made from salvaged materials—the two have built a cross-disciplinary partnership spanning clothing capsules, retail installations, and handmade resin objects.
1. Harajuku Guerrilla Pop-Up Graphics (2019)
The first collaboration appeared at a Brain Dead pop-up in Harajuku. magma contributed a series of limited-run graphic T-shirts featuring mechanical, tool-inspired illustrations integrated with Brain Dead visuals. The pop-up marked the beginning of their creative relationship.
2. DSM Ginza Installations (2020 & 2021)
Magma produced two consecutive installations for Brain Dead at Dover Street Market Ginza. The first, in 2020, introduced stacked sculptures made from resin, recycled electronics, and painted parts, positioned throughout the retail space. In 2021, magma returned with a reworked version using the same visual vocabulary but in new configurations. Both installations served as sculptural settings for Brain Dead’s products and reflected magma’s material-focused approach to storytelling in space.
3. DSM Ginza Capsule Collection (2020)
Released alongside the first DSM Ginza installation, this capsule featured graphic T-shirts that combined magma’s illustration style with Brain Dead’s design language. The items were sold exclusively through DSM Ginza.
4. Keyring Vol.3 (2021)
Magma reimagined the Brain Dead head logo as a translucent resin keychain, handmade in Japan with unique color blends. The keychains were available in limited quantities through DSM Ginza and select online platforms.
5. Sushi & Fake-Food Keychains and Magnets (2025)
To mark the opening of Brain Dead Studios Shibuya in 2025, magma created a set of Japan-exclusive resin collectibles. The release included keychains shaped like sushi, shrimp, and rice balls, along with magnets modeled after ramen and kushikatsu skewers. Each piece subtly incorporated the Brain Dead logo and was available only at the Shibuya location.
