Check out the trailer for Jellyfish Eyes, the first feature film by renowned contemporary Japanese artist Takashi Murakami
Words by Sam Heaps
A prominent figure in the 90’s Japanese artist Takashi Murakami has recently returned to the spotlight due to the release of his 2013 film Jellyfish Eyes. Jellyfish Eyes comes in the wake of the Fukushima Daichii nuclear disaster and deals with the seriousness of the issue by creating a child-eye view. Murakami has created stylistic young creatures known as F.R.I.E.N.D.S. who ingratiate themselves with the neighbourhood children. However they bring with them something more sinister than their appearance suggests.
A children’s film seems at first to be a departure from Murakami’s previous work – much of which involves life-size masturbating Manga characters and other overtly sexual or morbid works. However Murakami states that Jellyfish Eyes is in fact a “Kaiju” film, or monster movie in the epic Japanese tradition. And it won’t be the last children film of this style he intends to create. In fact the sequel to Jellyfish Eyes is already in production.
Murakami is one of the most readily famous artists to come out of Asia. His colourful play with pop iconography is often linked closely to Warhol and his eye-catching sculptures, patterns, films, and paintings have inspired collaborations with Louis Vuitton and other well-known fashion designers. Murakami’s extensive use of different Japanese and Western elements in his work has helped Japanese art cross international boundaries.
Japanese Artist Takashi Murakami on his US film tour with one of his creatures
Watch the film, explore the art. Takashi Murakami is an artist worth knowing – and he’ll stick.
