Takashi Murakami, September 17, 2006.

Takashi Murakami (村上隆, Murakami Takashi^?, born 1 February 1962 in Tokyo) is a prolific contemporary Japanese artist. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 602 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (832 × 828 pixel, file size: 370 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Takashi Murakami, 2006. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 602 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (832 × 828 pixel, file size: 370 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Takashi Murakami, 2006. ... February 1 is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... Bronze statue of Amida Buddha at Kotokuin in Kamakura (1252 CE) Japanese art covers a wide range of art styles and media, including ancient pottery, sculpture in wood and bronze, ink painting on silk and paper, and a myriad of other types of works of art. ...

Murakami works in both fine arts media, such as painting; as well as digital and commercial media. He attempts to blur the boundaries between high and low art. He appropriates popular themes from mass media and pop culture, then turns them into thirty-foot sculptures, "Superflat" paintings, or marketable commercial goods such as figurines or phone caddies. Fine art refers to arts that are concerned with beauty or which appealed to taste (SOED 1991). ... Bold textDigital media (as opposed to analog media) usually refers to electronic media that work on digital codes. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Low culture is a derogatory term for some forms of popular culture. ... Superflat is a postmodern art movement influenced by manga and anime. ...

Murakami attended the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, initially studying more traditionalist Japanese art. He pursued a doctorate in Nihonga, a mixture of Western and Eastern styles dating back to the late 19th century. However, due to the mass popularity of anime and manga, Japanese styles of animation and comic graphic stories, Murakami became disillusioned with Nihonga, and became fixated on otaku culture. Otaku culture is most often an unfavorable reference to a “nerd” society, consisting of people that take an obsessive interest in manga or anime. He felt that otaku culture was more representative of modern day Japanese life. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Nihonga (日本画) is a Japanese school of watercolor painting which utilizes mineral pigments known as Iwa Enogu (岩絵の具). Japanese nihonga artists from the Meiji, Taisho, Showa and Heisei periods are listed below. ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... Manga )   (pl. ... Otaku ) is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive hobbies, most commonly manga, anime or hentai. ...

This resulted in Superflat, the style that Murakami is credited with starting. Superflat is a style developed from Poku,(Pop+otaku). Murakami has written that he aims to represent Poku culture because he expects that animation and otaku might create a new culture. This new culture being a rejuvenation of the contemporary Japanese art scene. This is what it is all about to Murakami; he has expressed in several interviews in the last five or six years the frustration that his art has risen from. It is a frustration rooted in the lack of a reliable and sustainable art market in post-war Japan, and the general view of Japanese art in and outside the country as having a low art status. He is quoted as saying that the market is nothing but " a shallow appropriation of Western trends". His first reaction was to make art in non-fine arts media, but decided instead to focus on the market sustainability of art and promote himself first overseas. This marks the birth of KaiKai Kiki, LLC. Otaku ) is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive hobbies, most commonly manga, anime or hentai. ... Depending on context, pop music is either an abbreviation of popular music or, more recently, a term for a sub-genre of it. ... The bouncing ball animation (below) consists of these 6 frames. ... Kaikai Kiki Co. ...

KaiKai Kiki LLC

In 1996, Murakami founded the Hiropon factory. The factory was originally just a group of assistants that helped him to produce his sculptures and paintings. However, as new projects came in and the need for a dramatic increase in the volume of his work arose, the Hiropon factory gradually grew to a point in 2001, at the same time as his solo show at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, into a professional art production and artist management organization. That same year he registered it as Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. Today it is an internationally recognized, large-scale art production and artist management corporation, employing over 100 people in the US and Japan. Kaikai Kiki LLC has two main objectives. The first is the successful marketing of Murakami’s work, and the second a supportive environment for the teaching and fostering of new young Japanese artists. The Museum of Contemporary Art ) is a contemporary art museum in Tokyo, Japan. ...

Murakami has been quoted many times as saying Bill Gates is one of his greatest influences. He has said that some of KaiKai Kiki’s success and efficiency can be attributed to ideas and practices Murakami gained after reading Gates’ Speed of Thought. “I set out to investigate the secret of market survivability- the universitality of characters such as Mickey Mouse, Sonic the Hedgehog, . . .” this is the thriving notion behind what has made Murakami so successful. Kaikai Kiki is not only involved with how can we best make a piece of art with high quality and concept, but with a system of checks and balances, supply and demand. William Henry Gates III (born October 28, 1955) is an American entrepreneur and the co-founder, chairman, former chief software architect, and former CEO of Microsoft, the worlds largest software company. ... Categories: Stub | 1999 books | Computer books | Business books ... Mickey Mouse is an Academy Award-winning comic animal cartoon character who has become an icon for The Walt Disney Company. ... Sonic the Hedgehog comic book version, see Sonic the Hedgehog (comic character). ...

Art production at Kaikai Kiki, generally goes something like this. Murakami formulates an idea or sketch in any one of hundreds of pocket sized sketchbooks, then it is resketched in a larger notebook, from where it is scanned into Adobe Illustrator and this is the last phase that Murakami is directly involved with, his assistants then print out the full scale image, then silkscreen it onto canvas, and his assistants paint the canvas. In this fashion Murakami is able to produce a considerable volume of works. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

The second aim of Kaikai Kiki is artist management and nurturing of a large-scale rejuvenation of Japanese art. All of Murakami’s production assistants are artists that are taught by Murakami through the production process, but they are also provided with a forum and physical space, in which they can share their ideas and produce artwork. Many of these artists are currently exhibiting within Japan and internationally at recognized galleries. Most important in this endeavor, however, is the art fair that Kaikai Kiki puts on twice a year, GEISAI. Kaikai Kiki Co. ...

GEISAI is an open-application event, where artists or galleries rent booths to display their work. This is a one-day event where about 1,000 artists and a few galleries participate, and it draws professionals and enthusiasts alike from all over the world. GEISAI attracts television networks, magazines and other media to scout the emerging talent. While appealing to a progressive audience, GEISAI remains rooted in rich Japanese artistic tradition, and produces a unique art festival that while open to all remains strictly Japanese and hopes to renew and influence the next generation of Japanese artists.

"Army of Mushrooms" (courtesy the Frank Cohen Collection, Manchester)

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 600 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1224 × 1224 pixel, file size: 260 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 600 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1224 × 1224 pixel, file size: 260 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Frank Cohen in front of Franz Ackermanns Epicentre Meeting I (ArtReview, June 2003) Frank Cohen (born 15 October 1943) is the founder of Glyn Webb Home Improvement Stores, which is a large chain of Do It Yourself (DIY) stores in North East, North West, Yorkshire, East Anglia and the...

Artwork

Murakami’s style, called Superflat, is characterized by flat planes of color and graphic images involving a character style derived from anime and manga. Superflat is an artistic style that comments on otaku lifestyle and subculture, as well as consumerism and sexual fetishism. Social commentary is nothing new, nor is appropriation of mass media or popular culture. Otaku ) is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive hobbies, most commonly manga, anime or hentai. ... Sexual fetishism is the personal or cultural attribution of attractive sexual qualities to objects which are both inanimate and commonly considered non-sexual to an authoritative group in a society. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

Like Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami takes low culture and repackages it, and sells it to the highest bidder in the “high-art” market. Unlike Warhol, Murakami also makes his repacked low culture available to all other markets in the form of paintings, sculptures, videos, T-shirts, key chains, mouse pads, plush dolls, cell phone caddies, and $5,000 limited-edition Louis Vuitton handbags. This is a comparable idea to Claes Oldenburg, who sold his own low art, high art pieces in his own store front in the 1960’s, but what makes Murakami different is his methods of production, and his work is not in one store front, but many ranging from toy stores, candy aisles, comic book stores, and the French design powerhouse of Louis Vuitton. Murakami’s style is an amalgam of his Western predecessors, Warhol, Oldenberg and Roy Lichtenstein as well as his Japanese predecessors and contemporaries of anime and manga. He has successfully marketed himself to Western culture and to Japan in the form of Kaikai Kiki and GEISAI. Andy Warhol was a amazing artist (August 6, 1928 — February 22, 1987) was an American artist who became a central figure in the movement known as pop art. ... Louis vuitton was a great man he was born on fh 12 3845. ... Soft Bathtub (Model)—Ghost Version by Claes Oldenburg 1966, acryllic and pencil on foam-filled canvas with wood, cord, and plaster. ... Whaam! (1963). ...

His signature and most infamous works are "Hiropon" and "My Lonesome Cowboy". "Hiropon" is a fiberglass sculpture of an anime-style female, taller than average, with gigantic breasts and wearing an undersized bikini top, which fails to cover her adequately. A stream of milk, which she is squeezing from her right nipple, wraps behind her to her left nipple being squeezed by her other hand, resembling a jump-rope. "My Lonesome Cowboy" is a similar sculpture of a nude male holding his penis as he ejaculates a stream of semen, which he guides with his other hand to swirl upward, resembling a lasso. "Hiropon" prompted Gainax producer Toshio Okada to dub Murakami the "Ota-king" after the character in his own Otaku no Video. Both pieces of work are comments on the immense rate of overly sexed anime, and are critiques on westernization. An 1800 depiction of jumping rope A jump rope, rope skipping, skipping rope or skip rope is the primary tool used in the game of skipping played by children and many young adults, where one or more participants jump over a spinning rope so that it passes under their feet... Lariat redirects here. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Toshio Okada , born July 1, 1958) is an anime producer, author, and lecturer. ... DVD cover of North American release of Otaku no Video. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Smooth Nightmare is an excellent example of a popular Murakami painting. The Superflat style is really obvious here. In this painting, there is one of Murakami’s reoccurring themes, the mushroom. The mushroom repetition is a good example of Murakami’s work’s connection with themes of the underground and alternative cultures. Murakami’s work is quoted as being among some of the most desired work in the world by ArtNews in November 2003. Chicago collector, Stefan Edis reportedly paid a record $567,500 for Murakami’s 1996 Miss ko2 , a life-size fiberglass cartoon figure, at Christie's last May. Christie’s owner, Francois Pinault, reportedly paid around $1.5 million in June to acquire Tongarikun (2003), a 30-foot tall fiberglass sculpture, and four accompanying fiberglass mushroom figures, that were part of an installation at Rockefeller Center. The Christies auction house in South Kensington, London Christies American branch in Rockefeller Center, New York Christies is a fine art auction house, the largest and by some accounts the oldest in the world. ... Francois Pinault (born 1937) runs the retail company Pinault Printemps Redoute (PPR). He lives in France and is married with four children. ... Lower Plaza at Rockefeller Center. ...

However, Murakami is most recognized for his work with Marc Jacobs for the luxury fashion house, Louis Vuitton. He is the mastermind behind Louis Vuitton's Monogram Multicolore canvas range of handbags and accessories. Utilizing the monograms of the standard Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas, but in 33 different colors, on a white or a black background, instead of gold monograms on a brown background. He also inspired the "cherry blossom" logo in 2005; which can be found as smiling faces in pink and yellow flowers sporadically placed atop selected pieces, in Monogram Canvas by Louis Vuitton.

Timeline^[1]

• 1996 The Hiropon Factory is founded in the Marunuma Art Residence at 493 Kamiuchimagi, Asaka-shi, Saitama.

• 1998 The Hiropon Factory New York Studio is founded in Brooklyn, New York.

• 1999
  • (April) Takashi Murakami’s solo exhibition “DOB in the Strange Forest” is held at the Parco Department Store Gallery in Shibuya.

• 2000
  • (February) Takashi Murakami exhibits together with Miltos Manetas at the Italian Gallery Pinksummer [1]. The exhibition is called "Murakami-Manetas" and it that occasion the two artists hold a conference at the Brera ArtSchool in Milan where Murakami introduces his ideas for the SuperFlat and Manetas his ideas for what became the Neen art movement.
  • (March) The Hiropon Factory website is launched.
  • (April) Takashi Murakami curates the “Superflat” exhibition at the Parco Department Store Gallery in Shibuya.

• 2001
  • (January) Takashi Murakami curates the “Superflat” exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; draws audience of 95,000.
  • (April) Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. is founded and capitalized at 3,000,000 yen; takes over operation of the Hiropon Factory.]
  • (May) Studio #4, specializing in the production of sculpture and other three dimensional artworks, is established in Shiki-shi, Saitama.
  • (June) Studio #3 is established in the Marunuma Art Residence premises.
  • (July) An i-mode website "Geijutsu Dojo GP" is launched.
  • (August) Takashi Murakami solo exhibition "Summon Monsters? Open the Door? Heal? Or Die?" is unveiled at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo.
  • (September) "Geijutsu Dojo Grand Prix," a Takashi Murakami solo exhibition related special event is held.

• 2002
  • (March) "GEISAI #1" is held at the Tokyo Tower Amusement Hall; attracts 3,006 people.
  • (June) Takashi Murakami curates "Coloriage" exhibition at the Cartier Foundation in Paris; Takashi Murakami's solo exhibition "Kawaii Summer Vacation" is held at the Cartier Foundation in Paris.
  • (August) "GEISAI #2" is held at the Tokyo Big Sight West 4 Hall; attracts 5,332 people.

• 2003
  • (March) "GEISAI #3" is held at the Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Hall A; attracts 6,981 people.
  • (September) "GEISAI #4" is held at the Tokyo Big Sight West 4 Hall; attracts 5,332 people.
  • (December) "GEISAI Museum" is held at the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower on the 24th Floor; attracts 4,824 people.

Cover artwork for Kanye West's Stronger designed by Takashi Murakami

• 2004
  • (March) "Kaikai Kiki Animation Studio" is established at 4-1, Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. "GEISAI #5" is held at the Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Hall A; attracts 7,798 people.
  • (September) "GEISAI #6" is held at the Tokyo Big Sight East 4 Hall; attracts 7,244 people.
  • (December) "Kaikai Kiki Animation Studio Homepage" is launched.

• 2005
  • (March) "GEISAI #7" is held at the Tokyo Big Sight East 4 Hall; attracts 7,591 people.
  • (June) Takashi Murakami curates "Little Boy" exhibition at the Japan Society in New York.

• 2007
  • (June) Takashi Murakami designs covers for Kanye West's singles, "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Stronger" and directs the artwork for the whole of his Graduation (album) album.

Saitama Prefecture (埼玉県; Saitama-ken) is located on Honshu island, Japan. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Categories: Wards of Tokyo | Japan geography stubs ... MOCA, Downtown Los Angeles. ... The Museum of Contemporary Art ) is a contemporary art museum in Tokyo, Japan. ... Tokyo Tower by day Tokyo Tower by night Tokyo Tower ) is a tower in Shiba Park, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan ( ). It is 332. ... hello ... For a tire company, known by Yokohama Tyre, see Yokohama Rubber Company. ... Roppongi Hills Roppongi Hills ) is one of Japans largest integrated property developments, located in the Roppongi district of Tokyo. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Stronger is the third single from Pop singer Britney Spears released from the album Oops!... I Did It Again during the fourth quarter of 2000. ... Graduation will be the third major label album release from Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam hip hop artist-producer Kanye West. ...

References

Bibilography

• ArtNews. November 2003
• Flash Art (International Edition) 39 82-4 JI/S 2006
• Journal of Contemporary Art. February 2000
• Vitamin P: New Perspectives in Painting. Phaidon Press. 2002 ISBN 0-7148-4246-X
• Wired Magazine. Issue 11.1. November 2003

Notes

1. ^ Taken from the official KaiKai Kiki website

See also

• Kaikai Kiki - an artist's collaborative started by Murakami

Kaikai Kiki Co. ...

External links

• Kaikai Kiki Co. The official website of Takashi Murakami
• Tongari-kun (Mr Pointy), 2004
• Wired article (11/2003)
• CNN interview with Takashi Murakami
• On Artnet