If you’ve ever wished to come face to face with a six metre high inflatable Murakami then you might want to book a flight to Qatar. Murakami’s Altered Ego exhibition opens today at the Al Riwaq Exhibition Hall and features the usual eye-popping riot of cartoonish nightmares and psychedelic pop art. A man very aware of his stature in the art world, the big (literally) draw has to be the sinister ‘balloon’ version of himself standing guard at the entrance. Reminding visitors that Murakami sees all and will cover it in pink paint if it stands still long enough, this is nothing short of awesome.

The exhibition also includes new canvas work, most notably a 100 metre, three wall piece described as a reaction to the Japan earthquake and its aftermath. The show was described as a “dialogue with one’s own ego,” but Murakami takes time to look outside himself for this incredible piece.

Anyone who has found themselves staggering out of Frieze Art Fair will understand the low grade migraine that results from visual overload. These images remind us of that feeling, but if you don’t leave a Murakami exhibition feeling a bit spaced-out you probably didn’t get your money’s worth. More at CR blog.

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Museum product rarely gets fancier than this. Launched June 1 at the Brooklyn Museum, the new Takashi Murakami Louis Vuitton collaborative combines the monogram and camoflage. The Monogramouflage collection features a variety of bags, including the Keepall 55 above. Select LV stores will be carrying them beginning this weekend and stretching into the second week of July. (Via Nitrolicious). 

Following high profile cover art for Kanye West and a block buster touring show (visiting LA, now Brooklyn, and later Europe), it’s safe to say that Takashi Murakami is one of the best known contemporary artists out. While the exhibition in LA and Brooklyn presented a wide retrospective of the artists material, small scale shows continue to showcase the new work. 

LA’s Blum & Poe Gallery currently have on view Takashi Murakami: Davey Jones Treat. Each work is composed of a mosaic of digital fragments. This is Murakami’s first show at Blum & Poe. A selection of the exhibited paintings can be viewed after the jump.

The show closes next week, so if you want to check it out move fast.

Tonight’s the big night in Brooklyn, NY. The Takashi Murakami exhibit opens its doors  at the Brooklyn Museum. Special guests can expect the usual festivities – big ole bash with Kayne West performing, the 550-square-foot Louis Vuitton boutique that accompanies Murakami’s show wherever it goes, and 300 Monogramouflage canvases up for purchase (6000-10000$US depending on if you’re one of the first 50 in line).

But what is most interesting for this show is that those Monogramouflage canvases and Vuitton handbags will also be sold on the streets right outside the museum – and they’re authentic! Giving a slap in the face to the usual street vendors of NYC, Vuitton is boldly taking their war against counterfeiters right onto their turf.

Yves Carcelle, chairman and chief executive officer of Louis Vuitton told WWD, “We think that by highlighting it in a happening way and not in a boring way, it will make everybody more aware.” (photo via NYT)

The Takashi Murakami exhibition is right now making its way from Los Angeles to New York and will as of April be exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum.

April 5–July 13, 2008

4th and 5th Floors

The most comprehensive retrospective to date of the work of internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Takashi Murakami includes more than ninety works in various media that span the artist’s entire career, installed in more than 18,500 square feet of gallery space.

Apparently there will once again be a Louis Vuitton pop-up store also at the Brooklyn Museum, selling limited edition collaborative items of the French luxury brand and the Japanese artist.

Here a recent cartoon by Louis Vuitton with a lot of imagery done by Takashi Murakami, the Japanese artist, that has already designed lots of pieces for the French luxury brand.

We have reported before about the Takashi Murakami exhibition at the Moma in Los Angeles, that is still going on until February 2008. For the occasion Louis Vuitton opened a temporary pop-up store in the museum and is selling a few items, only available at that store. The most interesting items are the coin case and the shopping bag, both coming in the classic Monogram design and with special Murakami artwork.

In case you do not have the chance to pass by the museum until February, then you can now also purchase the items at Cliff Edge.