TAKASHIMURAKAMI(b. 1963)Panda.Fiberglass with antique Louis Vuitton trunk and wooden pedestal.100 ½ x 65 x 43 in. (255.3 x 165.1 x 109.2 cm).Executed in 2003.Provenance
Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, ParisExhibited
New York, Marianne Boesky Gallery, Takashi Murakami: Superflat Monogram, April 11- May 10, 2003Literature
P. Mattick, "Takashi Murakami at Marianne Boesky", Art in America, January 2004"Takashi Murakami's Pop-infused art portrays Japan's contemporary culture as a hyper-consumer realm that appears so familiar to Americans and yet is steeped in ancient traditions. His all-too-cute work, which ranges from paintings and sculptures to watches and do-it-yourself kits, challenges the distinctions between fine and hobby art. His work so perfectly mimics consumer obsessions that it embodies all the ambiguities and contradictions inherent in those tropes" (A. Cruz, Takashi Murakami: The Meaning of the Nonsense of the Meaning, New York 1999, p. 14).

The 2003 Marianne Boesky exhibition entitled Superflat Monogram embodies Mr. Murakami's ideas pertaining to consumer culture. Mounted in conjunction with the launch of his collaborative project with Louis Vuitton the exhibition put on display a series of paintings depicting various manipulations of the company's logo-as depicted in the previous lot. The present lot served as the central totem of the exhibition. Measuring in at just over 100 inches in height, the fiberglass panda executed in Murakami's typical superflat style. Perched atop a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk the sculpture is suspended in time as if it is preparing to take flight. The panda itself was a pivotal character in Murakamis works for Louis Vuitton. The character reappered in a short animated video as well as emblazoned on handbags and other accessories.

This Panda with its manga inspired appearance hovering in the realm between frightening and cute coupled with the timeless styling of the vintage piece of luggage comes to represent the embodiment of the partnership between the two entities.