8BitKid: Living Bit by Bit

“A Paper Tiger” is an online art dealer that specializes in low-production works from LA-based artists. These limited-edition prints are refreshed on a weekly basis, and the site will soon include clothing as well. The prices seem reasonable, and while the number of available pieces is currently small, the selection is varied and features some excellent artists. I found a lithograph from the Murakami exhibit that was at MOCA, and some of the works seem to share an aesthetic with the annual gallery show I first enjoyed last year: “I Am 8-Bit”. This is definitely a site to watch. If only I had more wall space…

- article courtesy “Daily Candy”

This past weekend I finally made it to the Takashi Murakami exhibit at the LA Musuem of Contemporary Art. I tried to go last weekend, but, after making it through exactly one room, the entire facility was evacuated due to an underground explosion.

Despite this setback, some friends and I went for strike two (strike three for a couple) and were not disappointed. Murakami is the founder of the “Superflat” style, and I first encountered his works when I attended the exhibit at the NY Japan Society called, “Little Boy: The Arts of Japan’s Exploding Subculture” that explored the impact that the atomic bomb had on Japanese culture. Murakami’s sensory-overloaded pop style is inspired by and also subverts Japanese otaku culture by twisting conventions of anime and manga. The exhibit not only features his artwork, but also a bevy of sculptures as well as several film explorations.

The exhibit runs through February 11th, and I highly recommend taking the time to soak it in before it ends.