Superflat is super-wacky: Takashi Murakami exhibition at the Los Angeles MOCA

6:44 PM on 02.12.2008   |   Jonathan Holmes

Many contemporary artists (Gary Baseman, Dave Cooper, and Ashley Wood to name a few) are pushing to flatten the museum going public's perceived discrepancy in presumed worth between "high" and "low" art. Try as they might, only one artist is really succeeding in convincing the fine art world that vinyl figures and Michelangelo's David should be allowed to share space together in a museum.

That artist is Takashi Murakami, mastermind of the "Superflat" art movement, which functions under the philosophy that a t-shirt, a toy, an animated film, and a one hundred thousand dollar painting are all appropriate venues for the same content.

Hit the link below to check out videos of the artist, his work, and his first attempt at an animated feature. Warning: at least one of the videos features uncensored, life sized statues of anime characters joyfully lactating, so depending on where you work they may be NSFW. If that sounds too risky, then you can safely check the gallery for examples of Murakami's retail ready toy representations of the same characters. Finally, there is always the option to hit the jump for my impressions of the man, and at least one amazing quote.

Thanks, Ceark!

[Via MOCA.org] 

Like most interesting art, Murakami's work is hard to describe. The line he walks between parody and tribute to "Japanese geek" culture (his words, not mine) is paper thin, to sometimes baffling results. Even Murakami himself seems confused. In one of the many videos currently on the L.A. MOCA's web page, he attempts to explain a sculpture he created of a anatomically correct naked woman who can turn into a Robotech style jet fighter. His exact words to describe this sculpture are "Looks like sad story, but at the same time beautiful you know? Same time sad, and beauty, and funny, and cute-y... everything."

Strangely enough, I do know. 

Murakami is also fascinated with the youth of Japan's increasingly overt expression of sexuality. Again he seems to be both making fun of the horny, socially inept geekdom he understands so well, while at the same time proudly displaying it to the world. Pictures speak louder than words, so I'll let the snap shot below of Murakami admiring his own work do the talking for me.

Believe it or not, Murakami's work isn't all boobs, fluids, and robots. Besides paying tribute/parody to the legendary libido of the Japanese geek, Murakami is also fascinated with Sanrio-stlye cuteness overloads. By far his most favorite "kawaii" icon is Mr. Dob, who most exemplifies the meaning of "Superflat". You can buy a one-of-a-kind painting of Mr. Dob and spend a fortune or buy a plush toy of him for less than ten dollars. No other artist today is working as actively and as openly towards the goal of closing the gap between the kind of art you buy in a museum and the kind you buy in a toy store.  

This traveling exhibition of Murakami's work is just coming to a close at the L.A. MOCA, but this wont be your last chance to see the show. It's a traveling thing, bound to hit at least a few more major cities across the United States before it comes to a close. So keep an eye out. You just may see a jet fighter with boobs fly by. I leave you with the promised video, should you want to hear Murakami explain the semen spurting statue pictured above.