Takashi Murakami - Tan Tan Bo

Takashi Murakami. A talented artist and a talented businessman.

He started an art factory with over a hundred artists with locations in Japan and the US, called KaiKai Kiki LLC. I think he founded it at the ripe age of 34. So I've still got time. Can you tell that I'm competitive? And envious? Well I am. I'm burning with admiration. But honestly, I'd rather own one of these pieces than have a 100+ person art factory.

For the past few years, I've told people that this was his masterpiece:


But after checking out his current exhibit at the Brooklyn Art Museum, I'm not sure anymore. There are several very impressive pieces. I'm still trying to figure out how some of the pieces were made. The sculptures and movies, although not always dull, weren't anything to write home about unless your parents like Japanimation. But the large scale paintings like "727" pictured below are wild. You have to see them for yourself to understand. This painting is over 4 meters wide, and I wish I could show you the subtle details and textures.