French protesters oppose new Takashi Murakami show

Trouble is brewing in France for Japan’s most famous contemporary artist.

In In the News by William Andrews 2010-09-03 print

Controversy is something that many if not most artists like to court. But has Takashi Murakami got more than he bargained for?

The Pop Artist with a penchant for Louis Vuitton collaborations is about to open a new exhibition of his work at the Chateau de Versailles outside of Paris from September 14 to December 12.

Though the French are well known for being Japanophiles, not everyone is happy about the show. The Versailles Defence Coordination has collected 4,387 signatures and is protesting Murakami’s art on the grounds that his works “have no place in the royal apartments.”

Meanwhile Murakami himself said, somewhat ambiguously, of his forthcoming exhibition: “I am the Cheshire cat that welcomes Alice in Wonderland with its diabolic smile, and chatters away as she wanders around the Château.”

William Andrews

William Andrews. William Andrews came to Japan in 2004. He first lived in Osaka and worked as a translator for Kansai Art Beat. Arriving in Tokyo in 2008, when he is not exploring art galleries he can often be found in the city's theatres. He works as a translator, editor and market researcher, and as occasional journalist. He also maintains a (very irregular) blog about Tokyo contemporary theatre: TokyoStages.wordpress.com » See other writings

Comments

  1. Manga Therapy
    2010-09-08

    He’s Cheshire alright, but he’s pretty amazing. Murakami never ceases to surprise people. His collaborations with a variety of famous people & brands really defines what’s he trying to convey.

    I actually compiled a list of which female celebrities Murakami should work with in future projects. You can take a look at: http://www.mangatherapy.com/post/1064051325/takashi-murakami-targets

    Don’t you think that Lady Gaga & Takashi Murakami would make one amazing work of art?

  2. And???
    2010-09-13

    It’s not surprising, since above all Versailles is the paragon of bad taste and uber kitsch. But count us as supporters of murakostabi opposition there, here or anywhere with standards. Can’t the world let Japanese art grow with out that clown?

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