Takashi Murakami is a contemporary Japanese artist whom I first heard of when we were visiting Versailles last year. His art was littered around the Palace and I found it very cute and whimsical. I read that the Gagosian Gallery was exhibiting some of his work so I definitely wanted to make sure to check it out. It was kind of surreal walking into the gallery – the door was opened by a woman in a black suit and inside the art space was “patrolled” by more people in black suits. Obviously security maybe. Even at major art galleries I’ve never seen the likes of it with these guys in suits standing spaced out every 5 metres or so.

The work of Takashi Murakami on display was much more … shall we say, adult, then what was exhibited at Versailles. As a result it was kind of awkward to look at the pieces of art without feeling a bit uncomfortable. The pieces of work on display included Big Box Ko2, Nurse Ko2, 3M Girl, Mr Big Mushroom and Miss Clam. I’m sure if you twist your mind you can imagine what the last two in particular refer to! Here is a picture lifted from the Gagosian Gallery website:

As part of the exhibition you’re also given a mini Big Box Ko2 that you get to take away and make yourself. (It took me the better part of a True Blood episode to complete …)

Overall I enjoyed the exhibition very much.