The Japanese Experience: Inevitable

This book has some great images. It is in both German and English, but it's pretty well laid-out. Very very colourful with some pull-out pages for longer works, specifically those of Takashi Murakami.

An excellent source of information on the recent Japanese pop art movement. Prominent figures such as Murakami and Nara make their appearances within its pages, and images of each artist's work are presented in large numbers. As an analysis of the movement, the essays of "Japanese Experience" show both a historical context as well as a future vision of what these artists are trying to achieve. Simultaneously, the book serves as a good visual record of the artists' work and provides them in high quality.

Not only the selection of artists and artist's work is good but the stories they tell about each of them is between the finest you can find. The writer makes it easy to understand the artist's mind in very few words. I'm sorry I didn't go to the exibition that generated this catalog.

This is a fantastic catalogue of an important exhibition held in Kraichtal, Germany in 2002. The curator was Margrit Brehm. So, do not be mislead: this is not a Murakami-curated exhibition, unlike the current Japan Society show entitled "Little Boy." (This book does contain works by Murakami and others of the Kaikai Kiki alongside other important contemporary figures). Also important to note is that as this is a catalogue of an important art event, it contains several essays on topics relevant to the Japanese Neo Pop movement. It is not necessary that one fully comprehend these essays in order to enjoy the artwork reproduced here. However, these essays are very valuable for anyone interested in placing these works in a historical context.

i bought this book pretty much sight unseen (it was wrapped in plastic), and for a not so thrifty price. that said, i do not regret that decision at all. this is a great informative book, and i think it handles the distinction between "high art" and "pop culture" quite well. i wish more american artists would follow this lead, basing great works of beauty on comics and tv. highly recommended.