Takashi Murakami

TAKASHI MURAKAMI (Tokyo, 1962).
"DOB Kun."
Vinyl.
MOMA edition, 2019.
Edition of 99 copies.
Publisher's and artist's stamp on the sole the feet.
Measurements: 19 x 12 x 11 cm.
DOB is a bright-eyed, big-eared cartoon character somewhat reminiscent of the Western Mickey Mouse. The creature takes many forms in Murakami's sculptures and paintings, from an innocent smiling Mr. DOB to an image of hostile character in which different images merge. Mr. DOB, was Murakami's first signature creation inspired by anime and manga characters, currents that have achieved cult status in Japanese youth culture. His name is a contraction of the Japanese slang expression "dobojite" or "why?" and is literally spelled out in his features, ensuring that we recognize him despite his ever-changing appearance. The representation of Mr. DOB has not only been adopted by Murakami in sculpture or painting, he also appears reflected in more commercial forms, such as dolls, key chains, t-shirts, mouse pads and watches. The artist sells these items in his studio gift store on the outskirts of Tokyo, because in Murakami's opinion the competitive art world taught him to create for the market, a market where merchandising has a place. In reality, this idea of mass-producing art that is easily accessible to society is a pop concept. As is the use of "heroes" or characters from comics or urban culture as the protagonists of his art. However, Murakami offers a new perspective on what is known as pop. He brings a radically new vision by playing with elements of Eastern culture. He has managed to introduce his own idiosyncrasies into the Western market by incorporating small, dynamic and recognizable elements that can be assimilated by both cultures that are apparently so different. That is why his art is so transgressive.
Murakami is one of the most influential artists of the Japanese post-war generation, Takashi Murakami was educated at the National University of Fine Arts and Music in Tokyo, where he graduated with a degree in Nihonga (traditional Japanese painting). In 1990 he was introduced to contemporary art by his partner and friend Masato Nakamura, and in 1993 he created his alter ego Mr. DOB. He then began to be recognized inside and outside Japan for his particular synthesis between traditional Japanese art, the contemporary currents of his country (anime, manga...) and American culture, mainly the pop current. In his work, Murakami conveys a critical vision of current Japanese society, the legacy of the country's cultural tradition, its evolution after World War II and its relationship with the Western world, especially with the United States. In his writings he coined the term "Superflat" to define his personal artistic style, a term that fits a work characterized by two-dimensionality and that also criticizes the very structure of art, blurring the boundaries between high and low culture. In fact, his output spans multiple art forms, from painting and sculpture to industrial design, anime, fashion and other popular culture media and merchandising objects. His trilogy of exhibitions "Superflat" (2000, 2002 and 2005) has been shown in important art centers around the world, such as the Parco Gallery in Tokyo, the MOCA in Los Angeles, the Fondation Cartier in Paris or the Serpentine Gallery in London. Also, between 2008 and 2009, retrospective exhibitions were held at MOCA, the Brooklyn Museum in New York, the Museum für Moderne Kunst.