Detail of Murakami Art in Kanye West’s VMA Suite

As part of MTV’s VMA festivities Kanye West took over the Palms’ Hugh Hefner suite adding art by Takashi Murakami [pics by mtvjames]:
Kanye Suite 1 ~
Kanye Suite 2 ~
Kanye Suite 3

Kanye West – Graduation

Lots of folks in the States first heard about Takashi Murakami when graphics for Kanye West’s Graduation hit the web.  However Murakami has crossed over from the gallery setting to commercial art settings and back in so many ways that you never know who’s already a fan.

Takashi Murakami – Superflat

I first found out about Murakami through his writing and curatorial work beginning with the Superflat exhibition.  Murakami is a serious heavyweight in high art who has also chosen to work in popular realms.  His edited volume, Little Boy: The Arts of Japan’s Exploding Subculture, does an incredible job of making the connections between Japan’s high art and pop culture avant-gardes.

Murakami/Louis Vuitton Scarf on Ebay

One big point of introduction to the West has been Murakami’s work for Louis Vuitton.

Superflat Monogram – Takashi Murakami for Louis Vuitton

The video above is probably Murakami’s coolest work for Vuitton and a piece that merges art and commercial interests quite nicely.

Murakami Light Switch Cover on Ebay

I’m particularly fond of this Murakami light switch cover.  It’s a really nice blend of old school surrealism and kawaii.

Kanye West at Kaikai Kiki

Kanye West visits the Kaikai Kiki studio.

Wired:
The Two Faces of Takashi Murakami

Official Site:
Kaikai Kiki

Update:
Edie Cohen checks out the art in Kanye West’s LA home:
In the living room beyond, Vuitton darling Murakami is introduced via a canvas almost 6 feet square. Sure, the black and white skulls on the blood-red background appear macabre on first view. But gaze closely at those eyes. Their lighthearted flower motif is a Murakami trademark—and it shows up again in the playful pillows spread out in the office below.

"In the past year and a half, I’ve been stepping up my relationship with Murakami," West says. Involvement goes far beyond the music video. Those fortunate to have attended West’s 30th-birthday bash—at Vuitton’s New York flagship—should have framed the invitation. Yes, it was a Murakami. West is currently designing a mega-bling medallion with. . .Murakami again. And Murakami is responsible for the covers of all the singles on West’s album Graduation, slated for release September 11.