Comparison Between Yoshitomo Nara and Takashi Murakami - Case Study Example

A Comparison Between Yoshitomo Nara and Takashi Murakami Yoshitomo Nara and Takashi Murakami are both recognized across the globe for the fine pieces of artistic work that they made and also their general contribution to the world of art. These artistes were born and raised in Japan and their works of art all revolve around anime characters. They wanted to be artistes ever since they were young and this prompted them to enroll for Arts in the University. Murakami went to Tokyo National University to study Fine Arts and Music while Yoshitomo enrolled in Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music. Yoshimoto was born in Hirosaki in northern Japan in 1959. Being the youngest child among three boys, he faced a lonely child owing to the age difference between him and his older brothers. Moreover, his introvert lifestyle was further enhanced by the absence of his parents who were always busy. This forced him to spend most of his childhood in the company of pets, television and his own imagination. These formed the basis of his creativity. Takashi on the other hand, was born three years later in Tokyo, Japan. He came from a family that put much importance in art. A good example is his brother, Yuji, who also turned out to be an artiste. Takashi Murakami got his influence from American pop culture. This came about as a result of his father working at an American naval base. He was exposed to western culture, movies and music which changed his outlook of things. He acknowledges in Interview magazine that he was influenced so much by Steven Spielberg. Just like Spielberg depicts a rift between children and adults, Takashi’s art also shows tension existing between children and adults. Yoshitomo was mostly influenced by Japanese pop culture and anime that he watched as a young child. This is evident in his wide range of art that mostly comprises of anime characters. He is also names his work after songs from his favorite pop bands. For example, he named one of his works ‘My 13th sad day’. Speed racer and Gigantor are few anime s that influenced by Yoshitomo’s work. Both artistes loved and were heavily influenced by animations, comics and most importantly by the pop culture. This was because pop art was very influential during the ‘60s and ‘70s. As he was studying Nihonga (Japanese style of painting that borrows European artistry while maintaining the Japanese themes), Takashi became obsessed with anime and manga. He incorporated anime characters and a bit of cuteness, kawaii to his works. Yoshitomo’s work comprises primarily of ‘wide-eyed children’ that he borrowed from anime characters. His love for punk music can be seen through his work titles like Neurotic to the Bone and The Girl with the Knife in Her Side which he borrowed from punk bands. After studying arts in various Universities, both artistes became professors of art. Yoshitomo enrolled in Musashino Art University, University of Fine Arts and Music and German State Academy of Arts. During his stay in German, he became both an instructor and an artist. He later became a professor at the University of California. As he was studying his doctorate in the early 1990s, Murakami also began teaching art and drawing. It was during this time that he actually discovered his own unique style. Both artistes did not primarily rely on paintings alone; they also made sculptures. Their sculptures were made from fiberglass while their paintings were colorful cartoons. Their works have been used in post cards, mouse pads, envelopes, skate boards and T-shirts. They have held exhibitions and workshops not only in Japan, but also across the globe. In 2001, Takashi held an exhibition in Grand Central Station in New York City. Two years later, he organized another exhibition at Rockefeller Center Plaza dubbed Reversed Double Helix. Yoshitomo’s works are showcased in museums and art galleries all around the world. He featured his collection dubbed Yoshitomo Nara: Nothing Ever Happens in USA in several venues. They include Contemporary Museum in Honolulu, Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania and San Jose Museum of Art in California. Works of both artistes have received both positive and negative reviews from critics all over the world. Yoshitomo have been described as art that lacks seriousness but at the same time hard to ignore. His works mostly comprise of wide-eyed children which some critics consider childish. However, others consider his art delightful, full of fantasy and rebellion. Like his compatriot, Murakami’s work has also been a topic of discussion. Many critics argue that his works lack substance; they may be visually stimulating but do not help people think. This may be due to the fact that their art is composed of anime and cartoons. Both artistes have successfully incorporated their art with commercial businesses. Yoshitomo created an artwork for a Japanese band’s CD jacket. He also created the artwork for Shonen Knife, a girl band in Japan. These works exposed him to a larger audience across the globe. Another landmark to his career occurred when actors in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dawson Creek wore his shirts. Takashi’s fame grew rapidly after creating Louis Vuitton hand bags that were instant success. He became extremely famous for incorporating his colorful images on the bags. His bags were instant hits raking in thousands of dollars in profits few months after their manufacture. Despite having similar form of art, the two artistes have different signature characters that are very prevalent in the work. Takashi’s most recurring character and the most famous is Mr. DOB. It resembles a mouse with a bulbous head and gigantic round ears. Mr. DOB has been featured in many artworks including T-shirts and postcards. The most known character in Yoshitomo’s work is Ramona, who he named after Ramones, a New York band. Just like the rebellious punk band, Ramona symbolizes rebellion. This can be seen through her different facial expressions. Another major difference between the two artistes is their mode of dressing. Takashi is known to be more formal and prefers expensive suits. Yoshitomo on the other hand prefers the casual wear. He is always wearing jeans and T-shirts. Yoshitomo’s characters are mostly simple and cute, but their large eyes depict emotions. From anger, joy to confusion, Yoshitomo gives soul to his art. Takashi’s work mostly comprises of colorful art that are emotionless. Whereas it is hard to decipher the true feelings of Murakami’s character, Yoshitomo’s work engages the viewer making him or her understand its feelings. Unlike Murakami, Yoshitomo’s work is a direct replica of his past. All his characters have some form of cuteness and large eyes. These qualities were borrowed from anime and manga that he constantly watched as he was young. Furthermore, the rebellion envisioned in his art can be attributed to his love of punk music that was against the social norm. His youthful ways are easily displayed by his main character Ramona. Therefore, his paintings give us a flashback on his lonely life. Takashi’s art do not in any way reflect his childhood life. His paintings and art are mainly a way of expression that does not in any get inspiration from his life. His work can therefore be described as fictional while Yoshitomo’s work is based on a true story. Another thing that separates their artistry is what their main characters stand for. Ramona represents Yoshitomo’s life as a young boy and the challenges he faced in his loneliness. Mr. DOB represents the Japanese people. He asserts that DOB (which can be translated to mean why from Japanese) stands for Japanese who have lost their identity and are heavily influenced by foreign cultures. Just like Mr. DOB, the Japanese people, though full of kawaii (cuteness) lack understanding of what transpires in life. Since he was born immediately after the closure of the Second World War, Takashi experienced rapid cultural changes in Japan in favor of western culture. He has been a sharp critic of this change using the art platform rather than a direct approach. Yoshitomo’s paintings are mostly handmade; he does not use computers or other machines to enhance the look of his work. He listens to loud punk music during his drawing sessions and this music always gives him an idea of what to draw. He loves music so much that he even names his exhibitions after them. In 2001, he named his exhibition ‘I don’t mind if you forget me’ which he borrowed from a song by Morrissey. Another show was named in honor of the Beatles. Takashi’s work comprises partially manual and partial computerized. After designing his character manually, he scans it into a computer where he fills it with complex color schemes. Furthermore, there are no evidences showing that he listens to music as he works, though he is also heavily influenced by pop music. Both artistes are well known and respected across the globe. The themes that their art carry differ greatly. This is due to the fact that one artiste gets his inspiration mostly from his childhood while the other is mostly inspired by his conflict with the western culture that is prevalent in his nation. Yoshitomo brings out pain deeply hidden within him through his art, in the process showing the world the pain and trauma that he encountered as a child. He reveals his rebellion as a child towards adults. Murakami on the other hand tries as much as he could to preserve the Japanese culture through art. He can be credited for bringing the Japanese culture into the limelight as he lived in New York. He popularized Otaku and Ukiyo (which refers to the floating world) to the world. Adato, Allison. "Mr. Pointy." People 15 Sep. 2003: p. 75. Frederick, Jim. "Move Over, Andy Warhol." Time International 26 May 2003: p. 42. Howe, Jeff. "The Two Faces of Takashi Murakami." Wired November 2003. Morimoto, Mie. Birth and Present: A Studio Portrait of Yoshitomo Nara: Ginko Press, 2003. Pagel, David. "Takashi Murakami." Interview March 2001: p. 188. Rubinstein, Raphael. "In the Realm of the Superflat." Art in America June 2001: p. 110. Read More