Takashi Murakami Brings Superflat To Mattel Creations' Next UNO Artiste series
(SPONSORED STORY)
WORDS BY Caroline Brown
© HIGHSNOBIETY
Takashi Murakami redesigns Mattel Creations' UNO. The legendary collaboration marks the fifth iteration of UNO’s Artiste Series which calls on defining artists to reimagine UNO card’s iconic deck.
Featuring past artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Nina Chanel Abney, and Shepard Fairey, UNO’s dedicated series highlights artists whose works are emblematic of iconic movements, making these pronounced decks both playable and collectible. In its latest collaboration, Mattel Creations' calls on Takashi Murakami to demonstrate his craft on the legendary card game.
The Japanese artist has been incredibly revered throughout contemporary art and is perhaps best known for creating the Superflat art movement. Inspired by the aesthetic that runs through traditional Japanese art all the way to manga and anime, the Superflat movement encompasses pieces that are highly recognizable, yet purposefully unbounded – a rule that Murakami also practices throughout his own artistry.
Often drawing upon the themes of post-WWII Japanese identity, Murakami’s specific works have proved to deeply inspire an entire generation which can be referenced in his many collaboratory efforts throughout pop culture. A couple of these legendary moments include his collaboration with Louis Vuitton back in 2002 and the directing of Billie Eilish’s music video for “you should see me in a crown” – but, of course, Murakami’s artistry is simply too vast to fully grasp.
The consideration of Murakami’s breadth and genius made him the obvious choice for UNO’s Artiste Series. The more difficult part of this collaboration was choosing only a handful of his works to feature. When deciding which art to include in the deck, Senior Packaging Designer Michelle Compton explains, “While some of the artists we’ve collaborated with have huge name recognition with famous pieces, the rest of their portfolio may not get the moment to shine in the spotlight. For Murakami, we infused his more recognizable pieces, the flower fields, on the packaging and wild card graphics and the rest of the cards showcase all the variety within his portfolio.”
Meet the artist and explore the collaboration
My kids love UNO and they play together with their friends all of the time. My daughter is particularly aware that she’s really good at it; it’s a very familiar game for me.
My encounter with metaverse and the concept of virtual currency.
The first time was when I was a high school senior and the guidance teacher told me that I didn’t have enough academic ability to go to any university. In despair, I figured I might be able to go to a university if I could draw even if I wasn't bright. The moment I told my parents that I was going to a prep school for an art university was the first time I realized I was meant to be an artist. The second time was when, after failing the entrance examination twice, I was finally accepted to an art university. At that moment, I thought perhaps I could make a living doing art. The third time was at age 29 when I was able to hold an exhibition in the context of contemporary art at the invitation of Aoi Gallery in Osaka. The fourth time was in 2011, on the occasion of the Great East Japan Earthquake, when I contemplated amidst the catastrophe what an artist could do for society.
I came up with the theory of Superflat and have clarified the difference between the three-dimensional spatial representation in the West and the two-dimensional representation in Asia. I think the fact that the arrangements of colors, based on the said Superflat theory, can create a sense of space unique to painting is the most recognizable element of Murakami art.
I have been familiar with Mattel since childhood as I used to play with their toy cars. More recently, they have worked on a collaborative He-Man/MOTU project with Kaikai Kiki artist MADSAKI. We have several projects together that are going well, so it’s been a pleasure working with them.
At first, I thought I was simply providing one image, but Mattel incorporated many of my artworks into the deck, which only added to the fun. I wasn’t particularly thinking about digital vs. analog while working on this project. Since the start of the designing process, the work involved is very digitally-focused, even though the final product is physical. It’s inevitable that the art becomes digitized at some stage. I think that’s just the way things are now.
I hope families who already love UNO will find this Murakami collaboration deck enlivening. I’d be happy if people gift it to family or friends for special occasions like an anniversary of some sort. I also hope that this collaboration will help keep UNO fresh.
As a father who doesn't get to spend much time with my kids, I’m grateful that I got to be part of a game that families enjoy; it’s as though I managed to be involved a bit.
My favorite card is the 8 card which includes an abstract painting. I think it’s the first time that my abstract painting has been featured and released on a collaborative product, so I find it very symbolic.
Explore the Takashi Murakami x UNO collaboration at Mattel Creations'
Explore nowPhotography:
RK
Producer:
Taka Arakawa
Executive Producer:
Klaudia Podsiadlo
Associate Creative Director:
Olivia Campana
Art Director:
Hyo Kim
Director, Cultural Consulting:
Melissa Yuen
Director, Media Solutions:
Allie Rich
Sr Manager:
Johanna Laura Gerhardt
Artwork:
©︎ Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
{"shouldDisplayHeader":false,"shouldDisplayArticleFooter":false,"shouldDisplayPresentedBy":false}