Takashi Murakami: The Meaning of the Nonsense of the Meaning

by Amanda Cruz, Dana Friis-Hansen, Midori Matsui

Takashi Murakami is one of the most thoughtful-and thought-provoking-Japanese artists of the 1990s. His work ranges from cartoony paintings to quasi-minimalist sculptures to giant inflatable balloons to performance events to factory-produced watches, T-shirts, and other products, many emblazoned with his signature character, Mr. DOB. Murakami mixes and morphs on canvas, light boxes, posters, and other mediums. His rich body of work reflects his voracious appetite for postwar history, art, and popular culture from Japan and the West, and has attracted the attention of the international art world. Takashi Murakami is the first monograph on this important artist. With reproductions of dozens of Murakami's works, insightful essays, and an exuberant Tokyo-pop design, this book will appeal to contemporary art fans as well as people interested in anime (animation films), manga (comics), and other aspects of Japanese popular culture. 110 illustrations, 93 in full color, 9 1/2 x 11 1/2" AMADA CRUZ is director of the Center for Curatorial Studies Museum at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. DANA FRIIS-HANSEN is chief curator at the Austin Museum of Art, Texas. MIDORI MATSUI is associate professor of American Studies at Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.

Genres: Art, Japan

94 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2000

Reviews

[Sheehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say I like the J-poppy art...You might enjoy it too.

The first couple of articles about Murakami's work are really nisghtful, and educational about the otaku, geek culture, and how Murakami both entices and takes the piss out of 'em...great quick read with fantabulous art plates of the installations that prompted the book.

[Anne Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dude, if you've never seen an image of "My Lonesome Cowboy," you are missing out. Missing out on some of the most mindblowing, nonsensical, awesomely sick, ridiculous perversion out there. "My Lonesome Cowboy" sold for over $15 million at a Sotheby's auction in 2008. Murakami's work is as thought-provoking as it is collectible.