The statement that Kaikai kiki makes Warhol's factory seem like a lemonade stand definitely holds true, but there were marked differences. Warhol's factory gives me more a sense of fuck this consumerism while ironically participating in it while also doing all manner of drugs that consumer culture usually slaps the title 'counter culture' on. Murakami exaggerates the consumption part in many ways, exaggerating the libido through the hypersexual references to Japanese Manga. Sex jokes are vogue now, and its only appropriate that Louis Vuitton would adopt his imagery and that his brand line would be so embraced by a consuming public. I agree with the question as to whether its incredibly disturbing or incredible, but I think the idea of it being incredible lies in the idea that he's doing something revolutionary. Maybe he's really just trying to have some intense, manga inspired eye-sex. He said his goal has been to be popular. Many people like sex. Many people like color. Many people like having things "they can take home" while feeling like they are above the mikey mouse consumer culture because their objects are mickey mouse's evil dopel ganger.. It's obviously branding, even though Poe tries to say its about them being "superflat", ie: 1. the works flatten the distinction between art and luxury goods (you dont need Murakami to do that when you have Sotheby's and Christie's. The only thing that's being "flattened" is the gap between the upper class and the super rich that can afford to collect, since the wealthy can afford to buy his merchandise.) 2. the works flatten the distinction between high and popular culture (due to the skill of his BRANDING) 3. flatten East and West (when will MOCA give Pokemon a retrospective?). What is art today? I think that it is all very confused and becoming a jumbled mess, and I also don't think that that's something good. But then maybe it is. It's all controversial, and Schimmel said that highlighting controversial artists is always a good idea. Makes sense since he wants to make money. Jump to the gallery as tabloid magazine. Tabloids sell great. Tutut Tabloids with white walls and "political agendas" and things to say about the institution, while feeding it from the inside...
While Murakami's studio is fascinating, it is not typical. His business-like, industrial, assembly line approach makes sense for the production of his pop-consumer artwork, but I think this chapter could have easily been recategorized as a look at retrospective creation. Instead, I'd have liked to see the studio visits feature various artists and their production. Nonetheless, I appreciate Murakami's art itself and seeing his relationship with Blum & Poe.
The statement that Kaikai kiki makes Warhol's factory seem like a lemonade stand definitely holds true, but there were marked differences. Warhol's factory gives me more a sense of fuck this consumerism while ironically participating in it while also doing all manner of drugs that consumer culture usually slaps the title 'counter culture' on. Murakami exaggerates the consumption part in many ways, exaggerating the libido through the hypersexual references to Japanese Manga. Sex jokes are vogue now, and its only appropriate that Louis Vuitton would adopt his imagery and that his brand line would be so embraced by a consuming public. I agree with the question as to whether its incredibly disturbing or incredible, but I think the idea of it being incredible lies in the idea that he's doing something revolutionary. Maybe he's really just trying to have some intense, manga inspired eye-sex. He said his goal has been to be popular. Many people like sex. Many people like color. Many people like having things "they can take home" while feeling like they are above the mikey mouse consumer culture because their objects are mickey mouse's evil dopel ganger.. It's obviously branding, even though Poe tries to say its about them being "superflat", ie: 1. the works flatten the distinction between art and luxury goods (you dont need Murakami to do that when you have Sotheby's and Christie's. The only thing that's being "flattened" is the gap between the upper class and the super rich that can afford to collect, since the wealthy can afford to buy his merchandise.) 2. the works flatten the distinction between high and popular culture (due to the skill of his BRANDING) 3. flatten East and West (when will MOCA give Pokemon a retrospective?). What is art today? I think that it is all very confused and becoming a jumbled mess, and I also don't think that that's something good. But then maybe it is. It's all controversial, and Schimmel said that highlighting controversial artists is always a good idea. Makes sense since he wants to make money. Jump to the gallery as tabloid magazine. Tabloids sell great. Tutut Tabloids with white walls and "political agendas" and things to say about the institution, while feeding it from the inside...
ReplyDeleteWhile Murakami's studio is fascinating, it is not typical. His business-like, industrial, assembly line approach makes sense for the production of his pop-consumer artwork, but I think this chapter could have easily been recategorized as a look at retrospective creation. Instead, I'd have liked to see the studio visits feature various artists and their production. Nonetheless, I appreciate Murakami's art itself and seeing his relationship with Blum & Poe.
ReplyDelete