Go Inside Takashi Murakami’s Two New Tokyo Exhibitions, by dreadnatty on Nov 6, 2015 0:53:26 GMT 1, Go Inside Takashi Murakami’s Two New Tokyo Exhibitions

Curated by Galerie Perrotin, Takashi Murakami’s “Ensō” pop-up exhibition is currently on display at Kaikai Kiki Gallery in Tokyo (seen above). For public viewing are a selection of paintings from Murakami’s “Ensō” series, which explores the Zen Buddhist teaching of the same name. Literally interpreted as a circle, themes of emptiness, unity and infinity define the motif, executed by Murakami using spray paint over his signature accumulations of flowers and skulls. Carried out in one fluid brush stroke, the “Ensō” requires commitment, because what is finished can never be undone.

The exhibit is comprised of 18 unique renditions and runs concurrently with “The 500 Arhats,” a retrospective of Murakami’s work organized by the Mori Art Museum, until November 8.

“The 500 Arhats” (seen above) represents Murakami’s first major solo exhibition in Japan in 14 years. Depicting Buddha’s 500 enlightened followers, the installation spans 100 meters long, stands 3 meters high and is considered to be the largest painting in history. Created in observance of the 2001 Great East Japan earthquake, an event that shook Murakami to his core, the large-scale piece was his way of coping with a deeply saddening incident.

“The 500 Arhats” will be shown until March 6, 2016 at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo.

Go Inside Takashi Murakami’s Two New Tokyo Exhibitions

Curated by Galerie Perrotin, Takashi Murakami’s “Ensō” pop-up exhibition is currently on display at Kaikai Kiki Gallery in Tokyo (seen above). For public viewing are a selection of paintings from Murakami’s “Ensō” series, which explores the Zen Buddhist teaching of the same name. Literally interpreted as a circle, themes of emptiness, unity and infinity define the motif, executed by Murakami using spray paint over his signature accumulations of flowers and skulls. Carried out in one fluid brush stroke, the “Ensō” requires commitment, because what is finished can never be undone.

The exhibit is comprised of 18 unique renditions and runs concurrently with “The 500 Arhats,” a retrospective of Murakami’s work organized by the Mori Art Museum, until November 8.

“The 500 Arhats” (seen above) represents Murakami’s first major solo exhibition in Japan in 14 years. Depicting Buddha’s 500 enlightened followers, the installation spans 100 meters long, stands 3 meters high and is considered to be the largest painting in history. Created in observance of the 2001 Great East Japan earthquake, an event that shook Murakami to his core, the large-scale piece was his way of coping with a deeply saddening incident.

“The 500 Arhats” will be shown until March 6, 2016 at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo.