Interest

Google Marks Summer with Modern Artist Takashi Murakami

Google's website is marking the summer solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere) on June 21 with a front-page doodle by modern artist Takashi Murakami.

In 2008, Murakami was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. Murakami has acknowledged the influence of anime, manga, and otaku culture on his art, and he himself has directed several anime projects.

Murakami worked with Luis Vuitton to design a print for its handbag lines, and he worked with rapper Kanye West to design an album cover and animate a music video. In 2009, Murakami created a music video titled "Akihabara Majokko Princess," directed by Terminator Salvation director MCG and starring actress Kirsten Dunst.

Last year, Murakami held an exhibition in the Chateau of Versailles in France, and he co-created an anime for the occasion. He then appeared in Macy's Thanksgiving parade in New York City, dressed as one of his creations alongside 40-foot-long (about 10-meter-long) balloons of his mascot characters Kaikai and Kiki.

Source: EITB

Update: Crunchyroll notes that Murakami also drew a Winter Solstice version for the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks, Emerje.