Known as the Warhol of Japan, Takashi Murakami is a thought-provoking Japanese artist who effortlessly merges fine art with anime and manga cartoons. Murakami’s carreer started back in the ’90s, when he invented an art theory called “Superflat” which mixes high and low art - the essence of Mr.Murakami’s work: he explores the ways in which mass-produced consumerism becomes integral part of art.
The massive “©Murakami” retrospective opens in New York on Saturday, and will include circa 90 of Murakami’s works, spacing from paintings, wallpapers, sculptures, drawings to videos. Many of his famous characters - Mr. DOB, Tongari-kun aka Mr. Pointy, Kaikai and Kiki - will be the main focus of the show.
There will also be a Louis Vuitton shop selling some of Murakami’s creations - back in 2003 Murakami and the luxury brand teamed up to create pop versions of the classic LV monogram handbags.
Paul Schimmel, chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles where Murakami’s last exhibit had a huge success, is also supervising the Brooklyn Museum’s retrospective. The show opens on Saturday through July 5 at the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, at Prospect Park.
In the picture: “Kaikai and Kiki” © Takashi Murakami
