Zen Warholism

After seeing Takashi Murakami's show at Gagosian Gallery uptown, I understand why people describe the artist as "Japan's Warhol." Like Warhol, Murakami's work for this show uses iconic imagery, repetition, and large canvases. And, like Warhol, Murakami's paintings feel cold. That icy feeling drains meaning from his series of portraits of Daruma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. But who knows perhaps Murakami's production-line Daruma riff will be a hit. I wouldn't be surprised to see Daruma's image on next season's Louis Vuitton's handbags, Murakami's other gig. (Image via Artnet.com here and here, and New York Times)