Murakami: Unfamiliar People―Swelling of Monsterized Human Ego

by Laura W. Allen (editor), Hiroko Ikegami (Contributor), Masako Shiba (Contributor)

This fresh look at artist Takashi Murakami takes on the “monstrous” themes of rampant consumerism, human fallibility, and the perils of life in the digital fast lane, in works from the past decade
 
One of Japan’s leading contemporary artists, Takashi Murakami (b. 1962) is known for a wide-ranging practice that encompasses not only fine art but fashion, consumer products, curation, and entertainment. Founder of the Superflat movement, Murakami makes art that is larger than life, boldly colored, and buoyant, with a Pop sensibility that draws inspiration from anime and manga.
 
But beyond the happy flowers and kawaii characters that have defined Murakami’s career lurk darker manifestations: the sharp-toothed, multi-eyed monsters that have increasingly become the artist’s vehicle for expressing the effects of rampant consumerism, human fallibility, and the perils of life in the digital fast lane. This book explores these themes in works from the last decade, presenting a disquieting vision of monsterized beings born in an era of unprecedented environmental, political, and social turmoil.
 
Conversations with Murakami and essays by Laura W. Allen, Hiroko Ikegami, and Masako Shiba deconstruct what monsters mean to the artist and reflect on new directions in Murakami’s sculpture and the genesis of his recent NFT projects. The book features lavish color illustrations, a plastic jacket, dyed edges, and four gatefolds.
 
Published in association with the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
 
Exhibition Schedule:
 
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
(September 15, 2023–February 12, 2024)

Genres: Art

144 pages, Hardcover

Published September 19, 2023

Reviews

[Bjarne Gudmundr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome art from a very talented and influential artist. I actually didn't realize this book was more interviews and analysis of Murakami's art than just being an art book itself.

However, that's not why I give this a low rating. Half of the book, I'm not exaggerating, is devoted to talking about Murakami's NFT project with various collaborators.

By now, I would hope everyone fully understands that NFTs are a scam or at best, a way for black market folks to launder money. The fact such a large portion of something masquerading as an art book devotes to that is heinous. It saddens me that such a great artist has either been duped into thinking NFTs are the real deal or is in on scamming people who love his art.

As I learned with reading a book about my favorite author previously, the more I learn about the people I respect...the quicker I lose respect for them.

[Jonathan Pavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent read and overarching nice flow and style to the book. It does make me wish certain parts were longer but for the books length it was good.

[Justyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint is that I would like more