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Large-scale solo exhibition "Takashi Murakami Mononoke Kyoto" including works exhibited for the first time ~ Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art

Large-scale solo exhibition "Takashi Murakami Mononoke Kyoto" including works exhibited for the first time ~ Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art

Area
- Kansai
- Kyoto
Categories
- Recommendations
Update date
- 2024-03-05

Takashi Murakami had a great influence on the contemporary art scene in Japan. This exhibition is not a collection of previous works, but rather a collection of about 170 works, including great works that reconstruct the works of Edo period painters, who influenced Takashi Murakami in his university days, and many new works that are being exhibited for the first time nationally. This must-see large-scale solo exhibition in Japan is being held at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art until September 1.

The venue consists of six rooms, but we will introduce you to the must-see works.
■The solo exhibition starts with the brand new "The area in and around the Kyoto city RIP", which was newly drawn for this exhibition.

▲Takashi Murakami 《The area in and around the Kyoto city RIP》2023-2024　©2023-2024 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd.All Rights Reserved

It depicts the 17th-century " Folding Screen (Funakimoto)" from the perspective of Takashi Murakami. The 13-meter-long work depicts various scenes and bustles of Kyoto during this period, such as shrines and temples, festivals, red-light districts, people enjoying kabuki and jōruri, and also depicts Takashi Murakami's symbol, the flowers, so look out for them.

■New work 《Rinpa no ohana to chuushoteki zuzo (Rinpa flower and abstract iconography)》

The work of Korin Ogata, a representative Japanese artist with a brilliant and sophisticated painting style, is interpreted in Murakami's style, with colorful flowers drawn in a circular space. Laughing flowers are depicted on it, and Murakami's comment 《"Excuse painting"》 is also displayed next to this workpiece, so don't miss it.

■In the octagonal second room, a group of works on the theme of the four gods are exhibited.

▲Takashi Murakami 《Blue Dragon Kyoto》2023-2024　©2023-2024 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd.All Rights Reserved

When you enter the dark octagonal room, the north, south, east, and west walls are decorated with works of the four gods (Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Vermillion Bird and Black Tortoise), and the central pillar is decorated with a gold dragon head. This work daringly depicts how the city of Kyoto, which was often prone to fires and earthquakes in the past, was protected by the of the four divine beast gods.

■Room No. 3's highlight 《DOB in the Strange Forest》

▲Takashi Murakami 《DOB in the Strange Forest》1999　©1999 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd.All Rights Reserved

Takashi Murakami's representative character "Little DOB" inspired by manga and game characters. The Little DOB from the past shows up in a new costume, and the room is a place where you can meet a wide variety of Little DOBs, and you can have lots of fun looking at it.

■Room No. 4 is full of highlights, such as the new work that dares the old artists, the very funny 《Fuujin zu (Wind God)》

▲Takashi Murakami 《Fuujin zu (Wind God)》2023-2024　©2023-2024 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd.All Rights Reserved

　This is a new Murakami version of the work "Fuujin Raijin Zu Byobu" (Wind God and Thunder God Folding Screen), drawn by Japan's representative painters and often published in elementary and junior high school textbooks. When drawn by Takashi Murakami, it becomes a very cute and funny work, and it is a must-see along with the 《Raijin zu (Thunder God illustration)》 displayed next to it.

■National premiere! Premiere in Japan! The 18-meter-long 《Dragon in Clouds - Red Mutation》

▲Takashi Murakami 《Dragon in Clouds - Red Mutation <The version I painted myself in annoyance after Professor Nobuo Tsuji told me. "Why don't you paint something yourself for once?"》2010　©2010 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd.All Rights Reserved

The 18th-century "Cloud Dragon," which is said to have been impactful for Takashi Murakami, is exhibited throughout the venue by delving into the Murakami style. Its overwhelming size and power of the work overwhelms the viewer and draws you in.

■Get yourself the exhibition's original goods as souvenirs!

In the museum shop, there are various original goods designed by Takashi Murakami and limited edition products that can only be obtained at the venue. The sweets in the photo is a limited edition product in collaboration with the popular local Kyoto confectionery "Cha no Ka", with the "Raijin Zu (Thunder God)" painted on the package and flowers branded on the sweets. Cha no Ka 《Raijin Zu (Thunder God)》, 594 yen (including consumption tax). Two versions available, including 《Fuujin Zu (Wind God)》.

■Exhibition Venue location
Address: Kyoto City, Sakyo-ku, Okazaki, Enshoji-cho, 124, KYOCERA Museum of Art New Building Higashiyama Cube
Nearest Station: Kyoto Municipal Bus, Bus stop: 1 minute walk from Okazaki Koen/Bijutsukan mae stop
※Period: February 3rd ~ September 1st, 2024