Takashi Murakami

Acquired directly from the artist

This work is in very good and sound condition overall. The fur is clean, vibrant and fresh. There is evidence of light wear and abrasions to the internal components used to mount the sculpture at the resting points and not visible when fully installed. There is a two inch strip of loose fur on the proper back left side of the larger panda. There are light scuffs surrounding the sides of the base and abrasions to the underside of the base which comes in contact with the floor.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Takashi Murakami is most recognized for his ability to move seamlessly among the roles of artist, curator, product designer, brand manager and celebrity. He has developed a unique method of branding by operating simultaneously within the worlds of fine art and commercial culture—the most notable example being his ongoing collaborations with the revered fashion house Louis Vuitton. In 2002, Louis Vuitton’s creative director, Marc Jacobs invited Murakami to reinvent the brand’s accessories line. The artist worked with Jacobs to draw upon signature seasonal motifs from Japan, which resulted in an array of pink cherry blossoms, clovers and red cherries melding into the notorious LV monogram. Following the success of the collaborative venture, Murakami not only established himself as a designer in the world of high fashion, but also brought critical attention to the merging worlds of fashion and fine art.

Murakami has experienced tremendous popularity with his Superflat aesthetics, which further the artist’s attempts to merge high and low art, but also link the fundamental functions between art and everyday life. The concept of Superflat is the artist’s rendition of a Nihonga-inspired optical illusion, where visual planes are compressed into a singular dimension, foregoing the need for the more traditional concerns of depth or scale. Produced separately from the high-end accessories, Murakami’s Superflat paintings and sculptures intentionally hover between the aura of the Louis Vuitton logo and Murakami’s own signature motif, exemplifying a different aspect of Superflat that expands beyond the simple integration of fine art and mass culture.

The present lot, Panda Geant from 2009, is a striking example of Murakami’s sculptural output due to its sheer size and brilliance. Standing over seven feet tall when installed, the luscious panda is executed in the artist’s signature style with vibrant cherry blossom ears and accentuated eyelashes. The sculpture must be viewed in the round for the viewer to truly appreciate its remarkable presence. Standing next to the peacefully snoozing creature, one cannot help but be transported into the whimsical sensation of childhood. Murakami’s character Panda Geant was initially introduced in his 2003 animated short entitled, Superflat Monogram, which was released in conjunction with the original collaboration between the artist and Louis Vuitton. The present work was fabricated upon the premier of Murakami’s second collaborative animation, entitled Superflat First Love in April 2009. In both short films, a young girl is standing in front of a Louis Vuitton store where she encounters the larger-than-life Panda Geant or subsequently his heir, Petit Panda. She is magically consumed by these characters and quickly finds herself on an adventure journeying through an abyss-like time machine, swirling with thousands of LV logos, clovers, and cherry blossoms. Through the genesis of characters such as Panda Geant and Petit Panda, Murakami has exposed the possibility of collaborative ventures which successfully integrate diverse genres, mediums and industries.

Murakami’s early artistic practice deftly penetrated the enclosed worlds of traditional Japanese fine art and contemporary art. In spite of this link to more traditional methods, his entire practice can be conceived of as an extremely modern form of Gesamtkunstwerk through the multi-faceted operations of his company, Kaikai Kiki. Murakami is at the forefront of Japanese contemporary art, constructing a distinctive artistic practice that not only integrates high art and consumer culture on both sides of this spectrum. While he has acknowledged predecessors such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Jeff Koons as inspirations, the Japanese artist has surpassed their influences on all fronts through the integration of his artwork with an internationally recognized brand and commercial empire.