Examples of artworks by Takashi Murakami

Miss Ko² (1997), My Lonesome Cowboy (1998), Hiropon (1997) Takashi Murakami explains these human sized sculptures as an obvious part of the contemporary art scene as there is often strong links to contemporary art and pornographic or sexual themes such as homosexuality, masculinity, feminism, and sexualisation. These pieces are often shocking but are in a way Takashi Murakami’s response to that area of contemporary art. These three sculptures are in the common style of Japanese otaku models; both from and their sexualisation. Normally being small models the size of these and their actions makes them the entire move shocking and a possible commentary on the otaku culture. Stew (blue), Stew (red), Stew (Yellow) (1995) These were produced when Takashi Murakami had just arrived in New York and was quite poor and disorientated. Looking back Takashi Murakami reflected on how depressing this time was, and the embarrassment of these pieces being shown. They were made using very cheap materials, as Takashi Murakami had little money, and with “low technique”. My personal opinion is that these are great images to speak about in a school setting where the same can be said for resources, possible as an inspiration for students or teachers, to demonstrate that the materials or lack of are not as important as developing and using ours skills.

Second Mission Project Ko (1997-2007)

This is work involves three sculptures showing a transition from an idealised otaku women into a jet. Takashi Murakami explains that this piece shows the geek (otaku) sexuality which had developed in otaku culture in Japan and spreads around the world. Kaikai and Kiki (foreground) Time Bokan (2001) (Background) Kaikai and Kiki are in many ways Takashi Murakami’s mascot characters. The Japanese word Kaikaikiki expresses an emotion of extreme awe (well kind of). These two characters are used frequently in Takashi Murakami’s artworks and are very popular products in terms of his company aspect. The image in behind the Kaikai and Kiki is Time Bokan (red) (2001). This piece is a reference to the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan during the last world war. Takashi Murakami explains that the image shows the trauma of the Japanese people and how it has affected their identity. He states that Japanese people are able to make light of this event even though it is still recent in their history. Jonathan Ross comments that the new Japanese culture of cuteness could be seen as a direct reaction to the war and atomic bombs (Jonathan Ross, Japanorama, 2007). With this in mind I find this image extremely interesting as the Kaikai and Kiki seem to be placed in such a way that they are marching ahead of Time Bokan’s image. It is a rather juxtaposed image of cuteness marching out of the trauma and past Japanese identity. It is important to also note that Time Bokan’s eyes contain images of cuteness in the midst of the mushroom cloud.