Description:

'Tanpopo' (Japanese for ‘dandelion’) is a graphic novel retail store based on nostalgic memories of reading manga in the basement of Borders on Queen Street in the mid-2000s. It gathers a community with an interest in producing their own personal graphic novels whilst sparking the child-like feeling of "chasing dandelions", off-loading heaviness and encouraging creative freedom.

The proposed corner site is located in the heart of Newmarket, at the junction of Nuffield
Street and Balm Street where you might be darting between retail stores in a busy and
diverse streetscape or just making your way to and from the train station. As a homage
to the site history of Newmarket being a cattle market, the symbolism of dandelions
acknowledge the imagery of cattle on the farm and grass amongst the light-hearted nature of
being surrounded by these ethereal flowering plants.

The intention behind the design was to create a space that was naïve, approachable and light-hearted, whilst evoking childhood nostalgia of blowing dandelions also inspired by the Manga "Imadoki!" in which the storyline focuses around high school students starting a gardening club and gifting dandelions plants. Elements in this space are also in response to the 'comic gutter', the forgotten framework and space of a graphic novel.

Thought was given to the transitions of retail space and the playfulness of the subtle and overlooked in-between spaces and voids with activation from the inside to outside. As you nudge the revolving doors with a glimpse of the interior, you transition into the space as if you have jumped into a manga yourself. You are greeted by the soft textures, light and blurred contoured detailing on the wall as you gently follow through to the counter. Those walking by are invited to read and rest in the window reading nooks. Artists, artists in the making and anyone interested are encouraged to use the large, communal tables to work on producing their own graphic novels, manga, zines, and other paper publications to offload and float into creativity.