Exterior of Al Riwaq Exhibition Hall, Doha, Qatar
Murakami – Ego features a number of monumental works in a large, nearly 2,300-square-meter
exhibition space, as well as 10 galleries containing focused displays of Murakami’s themes and methods.
The exhibition gives the impression of walking inside a three-dimensional self portrait, as visitors step
inside the mind of an artist that is populated with hundreds of different characters. The exhibition brings
together a number of important series within the artist’s oeuvre which have never been fully assembled
before, providing a rare opportunity to observe the full scope of the themes and methods which have
defined his work.
“I like to think of this exhibition as the foundation of ‘Murakami City’,” said curator Massimiliano Gioni.
“Takashi has conceived of this show as an urban experience, a walk into a gigantic artificial landscape, a
science fiction environment. For its scale and ambition it is an absolutely unique exhibition, and one that
could only be realized here in Doha, thanks to the commitment of the Qatar Museums Authority which
has embraced the artist’s vision with incredible generosity.”
Upon entering Al Riwaq, visitors immediately encounter the artist in the form of the massive SelfPortrait
Balloon (2012), a 6-meter high inflatable sculpture. In a striking difference from his signature
anime-inspired style, Murakami depicts himself realistically, dressed in everyday clothes with the
posture of a giant Buddha sculpture, extending his hand outwards in a gesture of greeting.
For the exhibition, Murakami also has been able to realize his largest painted work to date. The 500
Arhats (2012), stretches 100 meters, wrapping around three sides of the main gallery space, and is
divided into four 25-meter sections devoted to wind, forest, fire and mountain. Conceived as a response
to the recent natural disasters in Japan, the work draws on traditional historical painting to create a
contemporary monument to the power of nature in Japanese life. Inspired by paintings produced by
Japanese monks over 600 years ago in response to earthquakes, floods and political turmoil of the
period, the work is a stylistic departure for the artist.
“With the recent disasters, I was able to experience firsthand the way that such catastrophes have
served as the origin point for the spread of Japanese religion and culture,” explained Takashi Murakami.
“In the sense that Japan's artistic tradition developed in the same way, this new piece is for me a kind of
Guernica.”
Another grand work created for the exhibition is a massive circus tent that serves as a theater for
Murakami’s recent animated films. Covered with the artist’s signature Eye pattern, the tent epitomizes
how Murakami uses mass entertainment to convey serious content. A number of the artist’s inflatable
sculptures also are on view, including the actual Kaikai Kiki balloons featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving
Day Parade in New York.
For this presentation, Murakami has conceived of the exhibition itself as a work of art, creating new
modes of display that include sculptural pedestals with digital animation. In another departure,
Murakami – Ego will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the artist’s process of creating a large-scale
sculpture, with hundreds of drawings, models and studies for a new Daruma work. Inspired by the
grotesque legend of a pious monk whose image evolved into a good luck charm, Murakami reclaims the
original intensity of Daruma with an expressive, distorted figure, covered in dozens of screaming
mouths.
The exhibition features the entire cast of characters from Murakami’s universe—like Mr. DOB, Kaikai
and Kiki, and Oval Buddha—whose distinct personalities evolve over disparate works from cute to
terrifying. Also on view are complete series like Pom & Me, a mock-heroic, manga-style depiction of the
artist and his real-life dog produced in gold, platinum, bronze and carbon fiber. Murakami’s signature
smiling flowers are also represented in paintings, sculptures and curtains that drape the entrance to the
exhibition.
A fully-illustrated Murakami – Ego catalogue will be available in spring 2012 , featuring writings and
notes by Takashi Murakami, an essay with exhibition curator Massimiliano Gioni, and images from the
exhibition.