The Selby Visits Pharrell's Home in Miami

The Selby recently made its way down to Miami to get a look into Pharrell's spacious home. Filled with amazing Kaws work, some of Pharrell's own designs and plenty of breath-taking visuals, take a look...













"You can do it too..."

Absolutely insane on all counts. I feel like my whole life just got shitted on, but then inspired to reach for more.


If you arent familiar with The Selby already, it is photographer Todd Selby's project that visits both the creative and living spaces of some of the world's best from the creative world. You'll be hooked on the site, and they also just published their very first book.


Previously: The Selby Visits Ryu at the Medicom Toys Office


-john-

"Akihabara Majokko Princess" by McG and Takashi Murakami, Staring Kirsten Dunst

I don't even know where to start with this one, but apparently Takashi Murakami has gotten together with acclaimed director McG and actress Kirsten Dunst for this ridiculously random music video work of art called "Akihabara Majokko Princess".

Um, Just watch...

I can't lie, this was pretty damn entertaining, with an awkward cameo by Nigo in there, as well as Murakami himself dressed up as a giant one of his animated plush flower balled. Plus who doesn't want to see Kirsten Dunst dressed in anime clothes prancing around the streets of Akihabara?? ... or wait, is that just me?

And for all of those totally lost as to what is going on, Akihabara is one of the most interesting little places in the entire world. Its a small district in Tokyo where everyone dresses up as anime characters, princesses (or Majokko), and whatnot, and it's COMPLETELY NORMAL. There are also tons of anime shops, some are clean and cute, some are very sexual, but all are totally packed all the time. When I visited I saw a concert by the AKB48 as well as visited a Maid Cafe, and both were some of the most interesting things I've ever attended.


Oh and sidenote: the song covered is "Turning Japanese" by The Vapors

-john-

Louis Vuitton - "Art, Fashion, and Architecture" Book

To highlight their many many awe inspiring accomplishments in the worlds of art, fashion and architecture, Louis Vuitton is releasing a book that captures it all.
Take a look at the preview video...

I know I sound like an LV fanboy sometimes but they really do some remarkably creative things again and again. And as a sucker for store design (inside and out) their stores in every city around the world always put others to shame (Paris, Hong Kong, 5th Ave NY, and about 3 in Tokyo are some of my favorite stores in the world). Great how they can keep a certain consistency through their store while each can still be completely unique.


The book (available in English, French and Italian) will come as a regular hardcover as well as with a limited edition cover and sleeve designed by Takashi Murakami. The limited edition version will be exclusively available through Louis Vuitton stores and www.LouisVuitton.com on September 1st, while the regular hardcover will be available in bookstores on Sept 22nd.

Specs:
Price: US$130, 125€, £90, ¥17,000
Format: 24 x 31cm
3 leaflets 91/2" x 121/4"
404 pages, 400 illustrations


-john-

via hypebeast via ILOVELV

Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton Plushes

Here are some new plush toys from Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami that are damn cute but holy wow they will break your bank!






Most of the time I completely understand the way brands jack up prices to create an image of something unattainable or luxurious, and to be honest they have to in order to keep their brand equity. Louis Vuitton is one of the very best at doing this successfully and unwaiveringly, but this time it's just a little bit out of control. I'm not sure what the retail is on these, but the reselling prices are over $5,000 for the larger plush and over $1,000 for the phone strap plush! Only 150 of each were made but I'm not sure if that warrants a G for a phone strap.

If you are ever so privileged, you can cop them off of Cliffedge.


-john-

via Cliffedge

Superflat First Love by Takashi Murakami (for Louis Vuitton)

Takashi Murakami has done another awesome animated short for Louis Vuitton that once again takes trip though the amazing "Superflat" world filled with Murakami characters and designs.

If you remember a while back there was this original Superflat animation by Murakami titled Monogram. I still think that this original one is 10X better so if you haven't seen it you can catch up here. (the girl in the video above is the same as this one just 6 years grown up)




Murakami needs to come out with a full length movie already through his Kaikai Kiki production company that has so many great artist. He spoke on it when I saw him but still nada.



-john-


via toysrevil

Louis Vuitton "A Passion for Creation" in Hong Kong

Louis Vuitton has just opened a new art exhibit in Hong Kong to display some of the inspirational works (both direct and indirect) behind their line. The show is entitled "A Passion for Creation" and the Hypebeast team was on hand to get some exclusive pics...

Some oversized vintage movie posters with a light monogram print over them were plastered all over the Museum for the event.


Obviously there was plenty of Takashi Murakami, as he brings some of his print designs to life.





Stephen Sprouse works were also on display. I love that Sid Vicious piece.


Inspirational artists from all over the world were featured in the event, and many more pics of the show can be seen here.

Open until August 9th at the Hong Kong Museum of Art.


-john-


via HypeBeast

Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami Store in Tokyo

As the collaborations and special releases continue from Louis Vuitton, there is now a new Takashi Murakami redesigned Omotesendo LV store in Tokyo






The Tokyo store was completely done over in Murakami designs, including a huge plush character as a center attraction. As you can see Murakami was there for the unveiling also.


-john-

via BBC/IC

Supreme - 10 Years of Decks

Yea I'm somewhat tight about my most recent Supreme experience and I probably won't be giving them my money any time soon BUT I can see past that and still respect the history and art behind their now 10 years of skateboard deck history.

OG Supreme logo decks circa 1998

Supreme Pantone by Ryan McGuiness circa 2000

Supreme Larry Clark Decks circa 2005, Supreme Public Enemy Decks '06, Supreme Jeff Konns Decks '06

Supreme Kaws Decks circa 2001, Supreme Bandana Decks '01

Supreme Richard Prince Decks circa 2007, Supreme Andrei Molodkin Decks '04

Supreme Logo Stained Wook Decks circa 2008, Supreme Futura Decks

Mr. for Supreme Decks circa 2007, Takashi Murakami for Supreme Decks '07

Supreme Last Supper Decks circa 2002

Supreme Dan Colen Decks circa 2003

Supreme Marilyn Minter Decks circa 2008, Supreme Sean Cliver Decks '08

Supreme Kermit Decks circa 2008, Supreme LV Monogram Decks '00 (got recalled after 2 weeks due to a lawsuit)

The ever classic Supreme Logo Deck


Pretty amazing to look back and see the names and the talent that have produced really unique skate decks for Supreme over these past 10 years. Especially cool knowing that some of these go for thousands of dollars now not as skateboards but as art, which shows just how far street art and culture has come from a small niche and evolved into something that artists, designers, and most importantly the fans of it all take very seriously. So we owe a lot to the Supremes, Bapes, Kaws, Futuras, and other OG brands and artists that lead us here no matter how much they change over time.

Respect.


-john-

via jakedavis & supreme

Murakami Lecture @ Christie's HK

Sometime yesterday afternoon I found out that Japanese artist Takashi Murakami was going to be giving a lecture at Christie's Hong Kong. Well, somehow I was able to register for the event last minute and got to see a really good speech.

Great Fall day in HK, weather was perfect.
Seeing this display when you're really thirsty is like finding an oasis in the desert. As a huge water fan I was rather excited to see this line up and especially to see Fiji in Hong Kong for the 1st time.

Ok ok, back to the topic, this man.

In his speech/ presentation he showed a bunch of movies and clips from his own Kaikai Kiki co. These few caps are from Kanye West's Good Morning video.

Then I got a quick picture with the man, he's an awesome guy.

Murakami gave a really interesting lecture on the eclectic Otaku culture of Japan and how they influence and are influenced.
The Otaku culture is basically a huge group of people who just completely immerse themselves in anime, manga, certain Otaku pop stars, video games, etc. Murakami jokingly said himself after showing a video of these people, "Yes, they are pretty uncool." But he explained that every subculture is going to be seen as uncool of you don't understand it and can't relate. Using himself as an example, Murakami went on saying that when he used to live in America for a few years he loved to listen to the Smashing Pumpkins, however upon returning to Japan the music was dull because he no longer was able to breath the air that they did and feel their inspiration. He follow by saying how hard it is for people outside of Japan to relate to the culture especially because they don't know what daily life is like in Japan and why people are driven to live an Otaku life.
While Japan appears to be perfect and people live normal lives, there are many people who don't feel fulfilled or satisfied with their lives. This leads back to the constant Identity issues that the Japanese are always faced with. This all being the reason that the Otaku culture is so popular. If people find no value in their own daily lives, what better to do than become obsessed with the lives of characters in comics, shows, and games. The downside of this as Murakami said is that many of these people are socially inept and the crowd of mostly men remain single (the 46 year old artist admitting that he himself is still unmarried). He described them as junkies, but games and comics are their drug.

In closing Murakami took some questions, and in short:
-He doesn't think that the financial crisis should hurt the Japanese art scene much, and he still plans to hold Geisai at least once or twice a year to continue the artistic boom in Japan.
-Fashion in 15 years will be led by the Otaku culture, even though now it is only a small market almost exclusively to Japan.
-It doesn't matter if his fans fully understand the impact and meaning behind some of his and other pop and superflat art (since it's much deeper than cute girls singing and animals talking). He just enjoys that the genre is out there and being enjoyed. Plus, some of it doesn't make any sense at all in the first place.

It was quite a good lecture with tons of visual aid, which always helps. He's a really awesome guy and his vision is all about peace in the world, and he tries to bring that through his art.


"Art is a miracle created by the human race which could bring about a revolution without bloodshed."
- Takashi Murakami's definition of Art


-john-


ps. kindly don't quote this, it's just my understanding from my notes and memory of what he said. Thanks

Murakami Hits Louis Vuitton 5th Ave

Getting ready for the upcoming holiday season, Louis Vuitton decided to get Takashi Murakami once more to make a huge storefront display all over their 5th Ave store in Manhattan.
Trust me, you can't miss it...



No word on exactly how long the display will be up but I would imagine (hope) it will last through the end of the year at least. So if you are in NYC, definitely worth the stop.

Address:

Louis Vuitton 5th Ave Store
1 East 57th Street (corner or 57th and 5th Ave)
New York, NY 10022



-john-

via wwd

Murakami and Fujiwara - Hi & Lo

Two of the most influential and innovative people in Japanese art, fashion, and culture are coming together to create a pack of crossover items. Takashi Murakami and Hiroshi Fujuwara present Hi & Lo






They really went all out on this one in the terms of quality, reaching out to the top people for each piece. Levi's Fenom jeans, Visvim sneakers, Kangol hat, and Head Porter bag. Each with their own subtle designs and signatures by the artist.

According to F.I.L. there's still no word on a release but it should be relatively soon so keep checking in.


-john-

Takashi Murakami and Mr. @ Fabrik

After class the other day I went to check out the Murakami Exhibit at Fabrik with my boy Nillz. The space was pretty small but it was full of great pieces from Murakami, Mr., Damien Hirst, and Andy Warhol.
Here's some pics:

This is a Buddhist meditating so intensely that his head is bursting and eyes popping out. Pretty serious.

An amazingly detailed scene by Mr.


Some of his work for LV.


Then we snuck up to the top of a 32 story building to catch this view.

If you can make it out to Fabrik in the next few days I highly recommend it. The curator, Jurgen, was the man and talked with us for a while explaining pieces and telling us other exhibits to look out for in Hong Kong.

Fabrik Contemporary Arts Gallery
412, 4F Yip Fung Building
2-18 D’Aguilar Street
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2525 4911


-john-