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Takashi Murakami's Amazing The 500 Arhats at Mori Art Museum
December 17, 2015
"Takashi Murakami: The 500 Arhats" is on exhibition at the Mori Art Museum through March 6, 2016. (C)Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
The 500 Arhats (detail) 2012 Acrylic on canvas mounted on board 302 x 10,000 cm Private collection (C)2012 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Installation view: "Takashi Murakami:The 500 Arhats," Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, 2015 Photo: Takayama Kozo Photo courtesy: Mori Art Museum, Tokyo (C) Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Before my most recent visit to the Mori Art Museum, I had heard a lot of hype about Takashi Murakami's 100-meter-long painting, The 500 Arhats, which is on display there now through March 6, 2016. But now that I have seen it for myself I can unequivocally say that it is just as impressive as it sounds, and the exhibition is a must-see.
The exhibit opens with many of Murakami's smaller (but still very large) works, including both paintings and gold plated sculptures. Having been a fan of the artist's colorful and somewhat cartoon-like style for many years, I spent plenty of time in these first rooms, marveling at how adept he is at bringing traditional Japanese motifs and elements into a contemporary context. These paintings alone would have been worthy of an exhibition of their own, but when I finally made it to the main attraction, I was even more blown away.
The 500 Arhats is split into four sections, each with a different theme and dominant color scheme: White Tiger, Blue Dragon, Black Tortoise and Vermilion Bird. Each is breathtaking in its scale, composition and detail. Standing in the center of one of the exhibition rooms with huge canvases in front and behind you, it is impossible not to be impressed by what a massive undertaking creating this painting must have been. But getting a bit closer and examining the finer details, it becomes all the more awe-inspiring. At the base of the painting are the 500 arhats from the title, each one entirely unique.
I could go on about what a great exhibit this is, but there is really only one way to truly appreciate it in all its glory: go see it for yourself!
Kelly