Le Xi 奚乐 on Takashi Murakami: Cultural Dialogue or Market Packaging?
That day, I walked into Takashi Murakami’s exhibition.
The gallery was packed, full of dazzling colors, enlarged Hiroshige prints, cartoon flowers, and anime motifs. Undeniably, it was a successful “visual spectacle.”
Takashi Murakami exhibition, installation view.jpg
Reflections on Murakami
Yet, as I watched Takashi Murakami’s exhibition, I found myself questioning: copying, adding, altering—these methods aren’t new in art history. Now labeled as “cross-temporal dialogue” or “cultural reinvention,” are they really worth studying, or do they mostly serve as packaging and market logic?
Takashi Murakami exhibition detail Hiroshige print with cartoon motifs
My Own Artistic Practice
I thought of my own work. My pieces aren’t loud; they focus on subtle experiences of body, time, and space.
Le Xi at-Takashi-Murakami-exhibition.jpg
In “Cleaning Windows”, the simple act of wiping; in “Smartphones”, repetitive gestures—these explore the tiny, often overlooked poetry of daily life. Compared to Murakami’s loud proclamation, I lean toward a whisper, inviting viewers to feel and resonate with their own bodies.
Two Different Paths
This visit made me realize: Murakami’s strength lies in capturing attention, turning his visuals into a global language.
My path is about creating a silent space where people can slow down, feel, and resonate. One is a bustling marketplace; the other, a quiet path.
I respect his commercial success—but I remain committed to my own way: exploring the delicate space between perception and experience through small actions and poetic rhythms.
Takashi Murakami exhibition, installation view.jpg
