Takashi Murakami

TAKASHI MURAKAMI (Tokyo, 1962).
"Superflat Museum".
10 plastic shokugan characters.
Published by Kaiodo, Tokyo, 2000.
Includes original packaging.
Measurements: 13 x 9,1 cm. (approx.)
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 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 production encompasses multiple artistic forms, from painting and sculpture to industrial design, anime, fashion and other popular culture media and merchandising objects.