Takashi Murakami’s art, marked by those grinning flowers and whimsical, anime-inspired characters, effortlessly transcends cultural confines to captivate a global audience. Celebrated for harmonising traditional Japanese motifs with contemporary pop culture, Murakami extends the reach of his art beyond the canvas through groundbreaking collaborations, as exemplified by his partnership with Hublot.
The latest bloom from this three-year alliance is the MP-15 Takashi Murakami by Hublot, a watch that seamlessly merges the case, movement, and dial. It debuts Hublot’s first series-produced central flying tourbillon, surrounded by Murakami’s iconic flower motif made entirely of sapphire.
Peripheral hands point out the hours and minutes while the impressive 150-hour power reserve is wound using a specially designed stylus. Limited to just 50 pieces, this horological masterpiece made its debut in Singapore late last year, with Murakami himself officiating the launch.
How did you develop your signature style?
I grew up in the era of Basquiat and Warhol, and as an artist, witnessed the rise of the Young British Artists movement like Damien Hirst and American contemporary artists such as Jeff Koons. Seeing these famous artists, I wondered, what can I do as a Japanese artist? After the pop art, conceptual art and minimalist movement, how do I create my niche? This led me to manga culture, where everything is a complex idea. Nothing is black and white and not everything revolves around happiness. My first creation was Mr Dob, which the Japanese audience thought was a derivative of Doraemon.
You’ve formed numerous partnerships. What do you enjoy most about working with others?
I love the visits to the workshops and factories. When I first collaborated with Louis Vuitton, it invited me to Asnières and I thought it was such an incredible environment. I loved the smell, the craftsmen, the processes… I was impressed with everything! When I was a child, I would visit my father at the taxi company where he was a driver. The smell of grease and the sights and sounds of machinery evoked memories of my childhood.
How do you view time?
I watch a lot of YouTube videos on physics, time, space, and the universe. I also enjoyed watching Interstellar. In my view, the world is part of a multiverse, and time is not linear. As an artist, I also see things differently. Most of the artwork in museums today comes from people who have already passed away. When I design, I also design for the people of the future. As I create art today, I must keep in mind that it will still be relevant 100 years from now.
What are some of the parallels between watchmaking and your art?
Both of them can survive for over a century. Watchmaking, like art, is also an incredibly complex endeavour.
Do you collect watches?
No, but I understand the psyche of a watch collector as I am a massive collector of ceramic art. It’s never about needing an object, but about feeding an addiction. When you’re a collector, you have to strike a balance between your obsession and your limitations. I understand that clients have a budget, but they also have dreams to fulfil.
Art is often used to tell a story. With this new watch, what stories would you want to tell?
There were so many things I wanted to say about this watch before I saw it. However, when I looked at the final product, I was speechless. I think that happens to anyone when they see something so beautiful. As the piece itself tells the story, you don’t need to say anything.
