Post-Modern Principles: Layering

Tekashi Murakami

Still from "Last Night, Good Night" with Pharrell Williams

A scene from "Last night, Good Night" the theme for "Jellyfish Eyes"

Murakami is one of the most influential artists of this time period due to the use of post- modern principles such as layering which is used in every art piece he creates, whether it is a 3D modeled animation or a painting. One of his more standard paintings (shown right) is a good example of the way he uses color to create depth and different layers in the painting. 

     Another way Tekashi uses layering is in his digital modelling and animation, which is the biggest reason I chose to investigate Murakami in particular. Similar to his other works he uses abstract and organic shapes in combination with a main subject. The two photos from the left are still frames from Murakami's film "Jellyfish Eyes" that features a song from Pharrell Williams called "Last Night, Good Night." The music video to this song by Pharrell was animated by Murakami and later ended up being the main theme song to his film.

    I love the simplistic design of these two scenes above. The simplistic use of only color and lighting creates a dynamic effect that is not only relatively simple to recreate but is also pleasing to the eye. and something I feel like I could keep in mind when I am creating scenes since I have the tendency to go extremely overboard with background objects and scene design. I am specifically looking to create a certain atmosphere with a few of my pieces that is more simplistic. I have not been able to achieve this with my work yet, but perhaps with some similar layering techniques

     Just to show how truly influential Murakami  has been, I have decided to include some of his design collaborations with brands he has made such as Lois Vuitton and Vans. These collaborations seem to feature Murakami's more simplistic and stylized designs to show off his more iconic and classic styles.