Takashi Murakami Announces Show in Russia, Discusses His Films, and Meeting Madsaki

Takashi Murakami has been quite busy this year, curating a ceramics show, releasing a collaboration with BBC, and now announcing his next exhibition. The show will take place from September 29 to February 4, at the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow, and will be the first major survey of Murakami’s work in Russia. For the first time in his career, his work will be presented within the context of Japan and its history; exploring the relationship and dichotomy of Eastern and Western cultures. It will be broken down into five chapters that each pertain to different phenomenons in Japanese culture. Geijutsu (learning and technique) focuses on his paintings and the importance of routine; The Little Boy and the Fat Man, a tribute to his project, Little Boy, which explored the cultural transitions after Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings; Kawaii that explores the aesthetics of cuteness through pop-culture characters; Sutajito, displaying the recreation of his studio factory. Lastly Asobi & Kazari, will display artwork in the non-exhibition spaces of the building. While in Hong Kong with Galerie Perrotin to announce the show, we were lucky to catch up with Murakami at Upper House to exchange words about the upcoming show, Kaikai Kiki, his films, and culture.

Can you tell us a bit about the new movie?
This is Jellyfish Eyes 2, we’ve been working on it since 2012. We’ve spent almost 5 years, but now we are in the process of computer graphics. This is a completely fantasy/sci-fi movie. Part 1 was about the kids, but in Part 2 when they have grown up, the characters ask the question, “What is Japan?”

Kaikai Kiki’s products aren’t aimed toward street culture, but will there be more products similar to the BBC collaboration?
Yeah this year we will be making our own products, like vinyl toys. But not seriously aimed toward fashion… I have no idea honestly!

Your collection with Vans was really popular, do you see yourself working closer with the skateboard industry?
I hope to, Vans is a very interesting company. I work with the creative director, and we always talk about collaborations, and ideas, but nothing ever gets confirmed. But that is Vans’ laid-back style, and I love it.

Any plans to release full-length animated films?
Well we have started with a TV program. Each year is a chapter, and right now, we are in the process for chapter two.

How do you choose artists to join Kaikai Kiki?
One way is through my assistant, the other is through Instagram. When I like the artist, I contact them through Instagram.

Is that how you came across Madsaki, what did you find special about his art?
Madsaki was a unique discovery. One of my employees, who works at my New York studio commented to me, “Takashi, maybe you would like this image.” She showed me the Instagram and I liked it. I wanted to buy some so she contacted Madsaki and his gallery for me to buy.

I had my collection shown in Yokohama last year and that was the first time I met with him, he was… kind of a crazy guy [laughs and gestures screaming], laughing the whole time and I liked his character. So I invited him to several parties and kept up the friendship, then we did our collaboration.

Toy collecting has kind of died down in the world of street culture, do you see that returning?
Ah I didn’t know that, has the industry has come down?

Not really the industry itself, but collecting toys was definitely more popular 10 years ago…
Hmm… I released toys last year, and the reaction was huge. Many people were asking me how to get it. We were not too confident, so it was limited to 200 pieces. But with the big reaction, I hope to keep making more! Colette posts a lot of vinyl toys so maybe it can come back.

The fine art world has taken street art under its wing, is that just temporary?
This boom was natural. Curators understand what the young generation of clients want. The galleries then talk to the artist to find out if they share the same goals. Right now, it has just started, but I think it will be much bigger in the future.

Your work was more popular in the States before Japan, did the American recognition help in Japan?
I checked three days ago through Instagram which cities I am popular in. It goes New York, Los Angeles, London, Hong Kong, then Seoul… but not Tokyo, so I’m not really too popular in Japan.

Fashion trends have adopted traditional garments like Kimonos, what’s your thoughts on that?
Oh like visvim? Haha [points at a visvim jacket in the room]

Ha yeah, similar… what do you think about fashion labels selling garments from other cultures?
That is great! Right now, I’m collecting old school Japanese clothes – stuff that looks like Porter Classic, or uses similar materials.