Takashi Murakami Talks Controversial YEEZY Sandals, Hating Birthdays & More

While also discussing his collaborative exhibit with Virgil Abloh.

Art
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Anyone meeting Takashi Murakami in person will find that his demeanor is as animated as his manga-inspired paintings. Dripped from head to toe in a colorful octopus ensemble, we recently connected with the famed Japanese artist at the opening of his major retrospective in Vancouver Art Gallery titled “The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg.” The exhibit launch was just days after his 56th birthday this past February 3.

In a rapid-fire Q&A, we learned that Murakami actually hates his own birthdays as well as Christmas. He expressed that these joyous celebrations are more of a daily occurrence to him. “Everyday is a happy day,” he quipped. Moreover, he explained the reason why he transformed a pair of YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 into sandals as notoriously seen on social media as well as his most-recent exhibit with Virgil Abloh at Gagosian London titled “Future History.”

Check out the video above to learn a few things you may not have known about the Japanese artist. “The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg” is currently open to the public up until May 6 at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

In case you missed it, Murakami was gifted a one-of-a-kind, Air Jordan 1 Louis Vuitton Camo sneaker mask.

Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby St.
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H7
Canada

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Ambrose Leung/Hypebeast
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Jordan Mayfield/Hypebeast
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Kendra Koh/Hypebeast
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Jee Juh/Hypebeast
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Brandon Artis/Hypebeast
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Keith Estiler Managing Editor, Hypeart

Keith Estiler is a New York-born curator, writer, and the Managing Editor of Hypeart, the contemporary art arm of Hypebeast. Based in NYC, Keith heads up editorial strategy at the intersection of contemporary art and culture, capturing the icons and outliers of both the local and international scenes. He has curated exhibitions worldwide, dedicated to championing the emerging voices and subcultures currently redefining contemporary visual culture.

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