Takashi Murakami Reworks Trauma and Tradition at Cleveland Museum of Art

Summary

Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow by Takashi Murakami is opening at the Cleveland Museum of Art and will be on view through September 7.
Many of the works use shared historical trauma as a point of departure, reimagined through the artist’s signature electric style.
The show features several never-before-seen and new works including a “dream hall” in the museum’s atrium.

Takashi Murakami is set to arrive in Ohio for the debut of Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow, his latest exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA). This presentation, originally shown at The Broad in 2022, showcases a different side of the renowned artist, presenting him as edgier and more acidic. The display includes never-before-seen installations and unique new works that offer a glimpse beneath the vibrant, Superflat surface of his art world.

The exhibition takes its name from “In the Land of the Dead, Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow” (2014), an 82-foot painting influenced by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. This artwork functions as both a central point of reference and a thematic compass for the exhibit, embodying Murakami’s ongoing exploration of the cultural impact of tragedies. With vibrant colors and rich symbolism, he explores historical hardships such as the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the COVID-19 pandemic. By highlighting creative resilience and the intertwining of grief, he sheds light on how these two emotions often coexist.

In the core of the museum’s Family Atrium, there’s a space called “dream hall” (yumedono), designed in the classic Kyoto architectural style. This concept was influenced by the upcoming series Shōgun, and Murakami collaborated with the show’s art directors and creators to bring this installation to life. Inside, you’ll find four fresh paintings that modernize traditional animal themes.

Other notable features are several pieces from the museum’s permanent collection, creatively reinterpreted by the artist – a method he employed in his current JAPONISME show at Gagosian, New York. Apart from these exhibits, for $5,000 USD, the museum is also providing a selection of custom portraits, personally sketched and signed by the artist. Available in three styles, all proceeds from the sale of these limited-edition prints will contribute towards rebuilding the yumedono from the exhibition.

Starting from May 25, the exhibition opens to the general public and continues until September 7. The initial 50,000 attendees visiting this exhibition will receive a complimentary, city-specific collectible trading card (exclusive to Cleveland). Visit the museum’s website now to reserve your tickets.

The Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Blvd,
Cleveland, OH 44106

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