Takashi Murakami's unique style was strongly influenced by Japanese anime and manga. Much of his work, involves the distinct anime style with bright colors and very graphic images. With this artistic style, called Superflat, Murakami often comments on this obsessive Japanese subculture called otuka. However this piece seems to stay more true to traditional style of Japanese paintings. There is a perfect balance of bright neon and washed out colors with a subject matter that catches your attention and draws you in. The painting is broken up into thirds which adds more interest and because the center panel's colors are more pronounced, the piece has depth. The creature with big eyes, sharp teeth, and unique shaped ears is Mr. DOB, a reoccurring theme in Murakami's work. This painting has a fantasy aura to it, which differs from his Japanese pop culture art. Yet this striking painting is obviously Murakami's perfect blend of traditional japanese expression with an otuka twist.
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ReplyDeleteI like the asymmetry in the picture. The tail of the creature leads your eye to the head nicely. The creature's teeth look cool.
ReplyDeleteMuraki's engagement with cuteness--especially Japan's manufactured, hyper-branded kawaii mascot cuteness-- is awesomely subversive. And the stuff he paints and designs still manages to be cute.
ReplyDeleteCheck out this animation featuring his characters and design for Louis Vuitton:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C84FLwm3DA
I love the flow and look of this piece. It has a chaotic, cartoony sort of feel to me, personally, that fits with the weird little creature. The little creatures strange, distorted form gives me a 'Hello Kitty meets Lovecraft' type of vibe for some reason. It always displays some great fluid motion, with its tail having quite the liquid look to it.
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