Jun 21, 2011
Celebrated Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, to honor the arrival of the summer solstice, has designed a pair of Google Doodles for today.
“Two super fun, superflat doodles today created by one of our favorite artists Takashi Murakami,” Google tweeted to the world earlier today.
Murakami created the art movement known as Superflat that sought to open the international art scene to Japanese artists of all kinds. He wanted to emphasize that the rigidity of art forms was less important to the Japanese than in some parts of the world. In this respect, the styles of painters, cartoonists, animators and more could blend their edges and adopt techniques from each other without presenting detrimental problems for their respective art forms.
“Amazing! The kaikaikiki team and I are so happy this is Happening! Thanks a lot team Google!” Murakami tweeted this morning. The doodles Murakami created for Google for today are examples of Murakami’s signature cartoons; one is a summer scene and another from winter. Below is a picture of the summer image:
Murakami’s art career began in 1996 when he started up the Hiropon Factory in Japan creating ADT Alarms. He has since curated many popular art exhibitions in museums worldwide. Also well known for his contributions to pop culture, Murakami often blurs the line between what people label to be “high art” and “pop art” while garnering comparisons to the late Andy Warhol. Murakami has designed handbags for Louis Vuitton, as well as the cover for Kanye West’s latest album.
Murakami maintains very strong ties to Japan, despite his international fame and appeal. He holds the GEISAI festival twice yearly that showcases emerging Japanese artists. his company explains that the mission of Murakami and the spirit of the festival is “to become a living example of the potential of art.”
Murakami is a great example to the world of the changing face of modern art, design, and contemporary appeal. While not going so far as to describe his art as “urban” (for that would seriously limit the true scope of his work) it must not be overlooked that popular art, graffiti, and a touch of a hint of anime do find their way into Murakami’s art. So enjoy today’s Summer Solstice Doodle, on the longest day of the year.
