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Lot Essay
Undoubtedly the most recognizable Japanese artist on the contemporary art scene, Takashi Murakami is praised not only for his work's ubiquity in American popular culture but also for challenging the boundary between fine and commercial art. Murakami was born in Tokyo and later received his Ph.D. from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in Nihonga painting. Nihonga translates to 'western style painting' and it is one of two possible tracks offered to those studying studio art in Japan - the other being traditional ink painting. During his education, Murakami also had an interest in early Japanese painting and took an interest in contemporary trends of anime and manga. By 1995, Murakami had begun to produce works in the style that he is known for today and which can be attributed to a convergence of his varied influences.
Murakami coined the term "Superflat" in his three-part traveling exhibit through Europe and America. The term refers to the apparent flatness and rejection of western perspectival tools that exist in traditional Asian art. Superflat also refers to the "flatness" of commercial culture in Japan or rather the lack of distinction of fine art. In addition to his experiments with popular culture, Murakami explores issues that are central to Japan's culture - namely the effects of the Atomic Bomb attacks in 1945 and the subsequent occupation by western powers. This occupation supressed and truncated traditional modes of Japanese cultural expression leaving Murakami's generation adrift in a sea of borrowed western conventions. In 2005, in collaboration with younger artists that Murakami represents through his studio KaikaiKiki, the Little Boy exhibit at the Japan Society addressed these themes.
Murakami's most recognizable motif is the unique eye that is present in almost all his work. The eye is meant to represent the different kind of visual space that exists in his painting. It is indicative of depth -- not in a perspectival sense but in the sense that there is a presence on both sides of the canvas (artist and image). Also characteristic of Murakami's work are the characters that he develops and reproduces in multiple pieces. Mr. DOB, the figure that is presented in the present work, is one of his most popular subjects. Many of his figures are created in accordance with the Japanese notion of kawaii, or "cuteness." Originally derived from the American Mickey Mouse, DOB first became more angry and then very cute. The name DOB is derived from a nonsensical abbreviation of random words but can also be translated as "Why?" and is said to be an alter ego of sorts for Murakami. The Melting Dob series portrays DOB in a contorted condition where his initial shape of two circular ears and head are kept somewhat intact while the actual features are multiplied and distorted.
Murakami coined the term "Superflat" in his three-part traveling exhibit through Europe and America. The term refers to the apparent flatness and rejection of western perspectival tools that exist in traditional Asian art. Superflat also refers to the "flatness" of commercial culture in Japan or rather the lack of distinction of fine art. In addition to his experiments with popular culture, Murakami explores issues that are central to Japan's culture - namely the effects of the Atomic Bomb attacks in 1945 and the subsequent occupation by western powers. This occupation supressed and truncated traditional modes of Japanese cultural expression leaving Murakami's generation adrift in a sea of borrowed western conventions. In 2005, in collaboration with younger artists that Murakami represents through his studio KaikaiKiki, the Little Boy exhibit at the Japan Society addressed these themes.
Murakami's most recognizable motif is the unique eye that is present in almost all his work. The eye is meant to represent the different kind of visual space that exists in his painting. It is indicative of depth -- not in a perspectival sense but in the sense that there is a presence on both sides of the canvas (artist and image). Also characteristic of Murakami's work are the characters that he develops and reproduces in multiple pieces. Mr. DOB, the figure that is presented in the present work, is one of his most popular subjects. Many of his figures are created in accordance with the Japanese notion of kawaii, or "cuteness." Originally derived from the American Mickey Mouse, DOB first became more angry and then very cute. The name DOB is derived from a nonsensical abbreviation of random words but can also be translated as "Why?" and is said to be an alter ego of sorts for Murakami. The Melting Dob series portrays DOB in a contorted condition where his initial shape of two circular ears and head are kept somewhat intact while the actual features are multiplied and distorted.