FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Opening Reception: Friday, May 14, 7-9 PM

Blum & Poe is pleased to present an exhibition of new sculpture and painting by the acclaimed artist Takashi Murakami. The exhibition will consist of two distinct new bodies of sculptural work, including “Inochi” and several figures from the artist’s in-progress, full-length animated film project, “Jellyfish Eyes.” In addition, there will be a new series of paintings also related to the “Jellyfish Eyes” film.

In a major departure from Murakami’s anime-inspired work, “Inochi” is a life-sized figure, part science-fiction, part self-portrait. “Inochi” (meaning “life” in Japanese) alludes not only to Murakami’s vision of contemporary Japanese art, but more broadly, to the basic humanistic values that he sees transcending time and evolution. The sculpture will be accompanied by the world premiere of the “Inochi” animated short film, representing one of the most ambitious CGI (computer-generated imagery) animated short films to date.

Additionally, Blum & Poe will be debuting the Los Angeles edition of Murakami’s limited edition Superflat Museum “Shokugan” sets. Each of these “Shokugan” sets features a miniature, editioned toy sculpture of various original characters designed by Murakami. Each miniature is an edition of 30,000 and has been created with the help of Japan’s leading model design company, Kaiyodo, and is distributed by Takara.

This marks Takashi Murakami’s fourth solo exhibition with Blum & Poe.

Blum & Poe is located at 2754 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM. If you have any questions, please contact Gabriel Ritter at 310 836 2062.