Search Results for: arhat

Takashi Murakami Exhibits One of the Biggest Paintings in the World, “The 500 Arhats”

by CaroPosted on

Takashi Murakami’s often provacative works- which touch upon issues relating to high art and subculture, Japan’s defeat in World War II, the relationship between Japan and the US, contemporary art and Japanese art, as well as art and capitalism, while also taking into account political, cultural, and historical contexts- have greatly expanded the domain of international contemporary art. Comprising his historically monumental “The 500 Arhats” and numerous new works, his exhibition at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo focuses on the present state of Murakami’s career.

On View: Takashi Murakami’s “Arhat Cycle Part II” at Palazzo Reale

by Nastia VoynovskayaPosted on

Lauded as the founder of Superflat, Takashi Murakami has built a veritable empire on his instantly-recognizable aesthetic. Brightly-colored, loud and repetitive, his paintings and sculptures have made waves in the art world and their creator has gained notoriety for his sky-high auction prices and flamboyant, showman-like public persona. Murakami recently opened “Arhat Cycle Part II” at the historical Palazzo Reale in Milan, a follow-up to 2013’s “Arhat” at Blum & Poe in LA (see our coverage here).

Opening Night: Takashi Murakami’s “Arhat” at Blum & Poe

by CaroPosted on

Following his international film premiere of Jellyfish Eyes (reviewed here), Takashi Murakami’s exhibition “Arhat” opened over the weekend at Blum & Poe in Los Angeles. The show is his sixth exhibition with the gallery and his first major presentation in the United States since the 2007-2008 traveling show entitled “© Murakami.” While Jellyfish Eyes as a work was created in response to troubled modern times, “Arhat” takes the viewer through distinct eras of a visual story — historical, contemporary and future. Throughout, Murakami blends his love for nihonga, or traditional Japanese-style painting, and manga with new techniques true to his Superflat style, which mixes historical Japanese art with pop culture. Read more after the jump and see our exclusive photos from the opening night!

Takashi Murakami Exhibits New Paintings and Sculptures in Ibiza, Spain

by CaroPosted on

Japanese artist and founder of Superflat, Takashi Murakami, has taken over four venues in Ibiza, Spain for his latest exhibition: Art Projects Ibiza, Lune Rouge Ibiza, the Ibiza Gran Hotel, and restaurant and performance space HEART Ibiza. His presence there coincides with the opening of Lune Rouge Ibiza, the collection of Guy Laliberté, the Canadian philanthropist perhaps best known as the CEO of Cirque du Soleil. The artist will have a selection of older work on display at the Lune Rouge dating back to his “Arhat” series (covered here), including his massive 32-foot long painting “69 Arhat’s “Beneath the Bodhi Tree” (2013). The series was notable for its introduction of more historical Japanese art motifs in Murakami’s works, some of which can be found at Laliberté’s Casino de Ibiza.

Premiere: Takashi Murakami’s Feature Film, “Jellyfish Eyes,” at the LACMA

by CaroPosted on

Hi-Fructose attended last Tuesday’s international premiere of well-known Japanese artist Takashi Murakami’s first feature film, Jellyfish Eyes (opening in theaters on April 26), as part of the Film Independent at LACMA film series. The film premiere coincided with the opening of Murakami’s L.A. solo show at Blum & Poe, which opened to the public on April 13. Though a children’s film that mixes live action with CG animated characters, Jellyfish Eyes is deeply personal to Takashi Murakami, and may serve as an introduction to his artwork. Read more and see photos from the premiere and film stills after the jump!