Customer Reviews

Superflat (English and Japanese Edition)

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Murakami's "Superflat" is an essay (in both visual and verbal terms) in which he ties current, commercially viable art production (manga, anime, and Neo Pop) to its roots in the late Edo period paintings of artists like Ito Jakuchu and Katsushika Hokusai. He espouses the aesthetic similarities (the interest in decoration and the emphasis on the flatness of the picture plane) as well as the commercial similarities (these earlier artists were print makers and produced large runs of their work for sale to the general public).
This blurring of the boundaries between high and low art is a hot-button topic in art historical circles today, both in Japan and the West. With this exhibition catalogue Murakami has created a statement as strong as the body of work created by his Western contemporaries, Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst.
This is a fine catalogue that creates fascinating links between the past and present in Japanese artistic production. A must for anyone looking to challenge their preconcieved notions of what Art's place is in today's thoroughly globalized and capitalist world.

Superflat is composed of about one-half essays, mostly by Murakami, and one-half pictures of art and pop culture images. There is a 'manual' to the images with a few paragraphs on each artist, which is helpful for the layperson. The layout is excellent on the images, and I found them fascinating. The essays are all a little heavy, but rewarding if you put in the time to read them closely. If you're interested in looking at or understanding Japanese art today, I would highly reccomend this book.

Murakami is an interesting character and his work and manifesto is a must read for those interested in contemporary art, Japanese or otherwise. This book is beautifully printed and will be of great interest especially to those with a Japanese art history back ground. No matter if you agree with his views or not.

seer "Japna" must be a very bitter person to think he/she has the corner on Japanese art. I would ignore that cap's filled rant...

Murakami presents a suspicious hype on a flawed and updated orientalism. If one actually reads the essay they will see the thin "Weenie Mentality" of this seriously flawed conceit. Saying that there are no interesting ideas in contemporary Japan and therefore the artists cannot be judged harshly reeks of suspicion. Based on bad-boy HELLO KITTY Murakami and NAra are just undeveloped "manga" characters with no story line. considering that the role of Manga in Japanese society -underground as well- is minimal. Wanting to be a wall label like Prada or Gucci Murakami has cheapened himself to the level of izod and is on his way to k-mart. This silly collection disposable "art" will join the ranks of Mark Kostabi.