The Murakami exhibit at MOCA’s Geffen, was stimulation overload. Because the artist’s work is so commercial, the show seemed to receive a lot of criticism. But I can’t understand why that has to be an issue. Clearly his work is popular, hence why popular culture want’s to use it. One of the biggest controversies about the show seemed to be the fully functional Louis Vuitton boutique. I really enjoyed the concept of a high fashion store operating in a high art situation. It’s such a contradiction, which I think makes an interesting comment on art in our society. Some of Murakami’s paintings were incredibly complicated. They were flat, and very graphic, exploding with various colors and shapes. Perhaps they’re not the most thought provoking or conceptual, but you could feel their energy. Several people seemed troubled or confused by the anime sculptures, My Lonesome Cowboy, 1998. Although they’re a bit crude, I also found them delightfully strange. They’re extreme, loaded, perhaps even a bit cliché. I tend to be attracted to art that’s shocking and Murakami is clearly successful in that. Although there were things in the show that I could have done without, I would have to say the overall experience of the Murakami exhibit was way out there. I was really happy to see an artist like Murakami showing at MOCA’s Geffen, because it emphasizes that art has no boundaries. It doesn’t make sense to criticize this sort of work for being commercial or mainstream.
I personally loved the Murakami show at the MOCA's Geffen because the whole show was pure entertainment. I felt that he expresses himself not just on canvas or walls, but on film, sculpture, and Louie Vuitton merchandise! I love the fact that he is I guess "commercial," because he exploits himself as an artist and inspires a great many others. In a sense, arnt all famous artist commercial in someway? Murakami is only expressing himself internationally, and making a living off of what he likes to do.
Murakami is often criticized for his commercial approach and relentless merchandising, which is evidenced by the presence of a Vuitton store inside the show. From what I understand, Murakami has no qualms about having his work mass-produced but I am not sure how I feel about the whole thing. So much of me wants to be a world acclaimed artist whose work is sought after by musicians and celebrities alike but at the same time I don’t want to be some sell out chump who’s work ends up compromised by celebrity status. Has Murakami found a balance between the two? Has his vision compromised? In my opinion, the show is amazing. I was blown away by both the giant sculptural installations and the total environments created in the rooms that received the wallpaper treatments. I loved the wide range in mediums, from videos, paintings, sculptures, vinyl toys and clothing’s. Murakami effortlessly navigates between the worlds of fine art and popular-culture but again…at what price?
In my point of view, Murakami's exhibit was great, LV, cartoon, bright color, flower, etc. every one of them is screaming commercial so loudly made everyone impossible to ignore. This is definitely not something we UCR students gets taught in school every single day, however, I see it as artist made his work and ideas successful with commercial art, and I respect that. MOCA Geffen's Murakai exhibit is wonderful in my point of view, but I recommend people to go visit and decide on their own.
We are a group of Art students from the University of California Riverside who are attending a series of Art Galleries in several parts of Southern California. We have decided to use Blogger.com to post the pictures we take, and record our thoughts and opinions about the work we visit. You can find our critiques and thoughts on the work in the "comments" field, which appears below the pictures of the art.
5 comments:
The Murakami exhibit at MOCA’s Geffen, was stimulation overload. Because the artist’s work is so commercial, the show seemed to receive a lot of criticism. But I can’t understand why that has to be an issue. Clearly his work is popular, hence why popular culture want’s to use it. One of the biggest controversies about the show seemed to be the fully functional Louis Vuitton boutique. I really enjoyed the concept of a high fashion store operating in a high art situation. It’s such a contradiction, which I think makes an interesting comment on art in our society. Some of Murakami’s paintings were incredibly complicated. They were flat, and very graphic, exploding with various colors and shapes. Perhaps they’re not the most thought provoking or conceptual, but you could feel their energy. Several people seemed troubled or confused by the anime sculptures, My Lonesome Cowboy, 1998. Although they’re a bit crude, I also found them delightfully strange. They’re extreme, loaded, perhaps even a bit cliché. I tend to be attracted to art that’s shocking and Murakami is clearly successful in that. Although there were things in the show that I could have done without, I would have to say the overall experience of the Murakami exhibit was way out there. I was really happy to see an artist like Murakami showing at MOCA’s Geffen, because it emphasizes that art has no boundaries. It doesn’t make sense to criticize this sort of work for being commercial or mainstream.
-Drue-Ann
I personally loved the Murakami show at the MOCA's Geffen because the whole show was pure entertainment. I felt that he expresses himself not just on canvas or walls, but on film, sculpture, and Louie Vuitton merchandise! I love the fact that he is I guess "commercial," because he exploits himself as an artist and inspires a great many others. In a sense, arnt all famous artist commercial in someway? Murakami is only expressing himself internationally, and making a living off of what he likes to do.
-Rebecca Lopez
Takashi Murakami
Murakami is often criticized for his commercial approach and relentless merchandising, which is evidenced by the presence of a Vuitton store inside the show. From what I understand, Murakami has no qualms about having his work mass-produced but I am not sure how I feel about the whole thing. So much of me wants to be a world acclaimed artist whose work is sought after by musicians and celebrities alike but at the same time I don’t want to be some sell out chump who’s work ends up compromised by celebrity status. Has Murakami found a balance between the two? Has his vision compromised?
In my opinion, the show is amazing. I was blown away by both the giant sculptural installations and the total environments created in the rooms that received the wallpaper treatments. I loved the wide range in mediums, from videos, paintings, sculptures, vinyl toys and clothing’s. Murakami effortlessly navigates between the worlds of fine art and popular-culture but again…at what price?
~ Ericka Gómez
In my point of view, Murakami's exhibit was great, LV, cartoon, bright color, flower, etc. every one of them is screaming commercial so loudly made everyone impossible to ignore.
This is definitely not something we UCR students gets taught in school every single day, however, I see it as artist made his work and ideas successful with commercial art, and I respect that.
MOCA Geffen's Murakai exhibit is wonderful in my point of view, but I recommend people to go visit and decide on their own.
~Carol Huang~
I found some interesting links that talks more about the artist.
http://www.artnet.com/Magazine/features/drohojowska-philp/drohojowska-philp1-18-01.asp
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.11/artist.html
~Carol Huang~
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