Takashi Murakami has made a profound impact in the dynamic world where fine art and commercial appeal converge. Renowned for pushing the boundaries between high and popular culture, Murakami’s innovative “Superflat” aesthetic has garnered widespread acclaim and positioned him as one of the most influential and innovative artists of our time. Drawing inspiration from classical Japanese art and merging it with the vibrancy of contemporary Japanese pop culture, Murakami’s work transcends conventional categorisations, standing alongside luminaries like Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, and Jeff Koons.
At the heart of Murakami’s artistic philosophy is the “Superflat” aesthetic, which fuses traditional Japanese art with the modern influences of manga and anime. Murakami’s formative years were shaped by the juxtaposition of Japan’s narrow residential spaces and the fantastical realms of manga and anime, providing the foundation for his distinctive artistic vision. His work serves as a barometer for culture, exploring the intersections between Japanese postwar society and traditional printmaking techniques. It also incorporates subversive undertones, and captivating imagery.
Read more: Takashi Murakami’s Mark on Art History
Murakami’s commitment to bridging the gap between art and commerce is exemplified through his founding of Kaikai Kiki Co Ltd. Murakami redefined the role as an artist by embracing commerce as a way to express his artistic vision. His collaboration with Louis Vuitton is a testament to the pioneering efforts he has made in promoting art outside of traditional gallery spaces and reaching a worldwide audience through everyday commodities. Murakami’s co-creations with Hublot further solidify that notion as we hear from him in the global press conference held in Singapore ahead of the launch of the very special Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire.
What impression did you get from the Hublot Takashi Murakami tourbillon Sapphire MP-15?
It’s a dream, a creative dream come true. It looks like an anti-gravity clock, but the sensation it creates is amazing and magical.
What is time to you?
YouTube is a great place to learn about time, space, and physics. Interstellar is a movie I like a lot, and it always makes me think of how we can surpass all those possibilities. I think of the world as being a multiverse instead of four-dimensional. I’m a physics geek, and that’s how I see time: it’s not linear but multifaceted.
Did you have an interest in watches prior to Hublot’s partnership?
Before I met Miwa san (from Hublot Japan), i collaborated with Louis Vuitton. Japanese magazines thought I enjoyed collaborating and invited me to a watch fair held in Switzerland. I attended all the parties and events, and that’s how I got into the world of watches. I have also worked with an independent watchmaker, Asaoka San. [from Hajime Asaoka] The complexity of watchmaking was very similar to the complexity in art. That’s what got me interested in this world [of watches].
Do you remember the first time that Hublot collaborated with you?
At the Hublot party in 2003, I remember seeing a Hublot all-black watch that looked sporty. It was because of this that I chose a black Hublot watch for my first Hublot collaboration. The designs have become more advanced in the subsequent years.
What are some parallels between your art and the watchmaking industry?
Watches, art and other pieces of furniture can survive for over 100 years. This means that these pieces have the same quality and story even if they are 100 years old.
What stories would like to share?
The final product left me speechless. I had many things to say before I saw it yesterday. It can happen when you see something so wonderful and beautiful that you don’t have to say anything; the piece itself tells the story.
What do you hope to achieve with your work in the world of arts and luxury?
I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished anything in that area because any collaboration is brand-led. Marc Jacobs, who led the Louis Vuitton project when I collaborated there, and Miwa-san with Hublot led this project. It’s all based on their vision; a collaboration is born when their vision matches mine. I don’t want to take credit for it because I couldn’t have done this myself.
How do you interpret Hublot’s Art of Fusion?
One year and half ago, NFTs and NFT art were extremely popular. Facebook was Meta and the Metaverse became the buzz of the town. When I saw my son communicating with his gaming buddies through online games, I was convinced of the Metaverse’s importance. Artists can sometimes be uncompromising and stick to their core values. But I think you should always be ready for change, to adapt and fuse it with the style that you’ve already accomplished for yourself. So, for me, fusion is combining what I believe in with something that’s in trend now.
MensFolio.com was the first to publish this article.
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