Six years after the LV Murakami collaboration, Takashi has released another film, called “Superflat First Love,”an update to the 2003 ad.

LINKAGE: Racked

For any of you law aficionados out there, the case Liebeck Vs. McDonald’s probably rings a bell. If not, heres a brief synopsis: Liebeck sued McDonald’s, winning herself nearly $3 million, for burning her lap after spilling hot coffee. Hm, doesn’t coffee imply that the beverage is hot? Regardless, here’s another foolish lawsuit to add to the mix:

Clint Arthur, a businessman and fine art collector, bought special Takashi Murakami for Louis Vuitton prints at L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art two years ago.  A little while down the road, Arthur realized that these prints were made from scrap pieces used to make purses. His resolution: take Louis Vuitton to court for fraudulent deception.  Apparently, Arthur was a bit miffed that his prints cost $6000 each when the purses, which require far more craftsmanship, only cost $1000. While Vuitton claims that Arthur should have known the prints were made of scraps, offering the collector a full refund plus interest, Arthur presses onward in the hopes of correcting this “fraud” and collecting around $12 million. 

Really, the price discrepancy is totally reasonable. While the prints used are exactly the same, purses use far less of the material than the hanging prints. To me, this lawsuit sounds sounds like a bit of mid-life crisis drama and sought after entertainment. Seriously Arthur, go watch Gossip Girl or something. That should feed your petty drama craving for a few hours. 

Thanks NY Mag!

Andy Warhol’s overrated and we can prove it. Here are five up and coming artists who are establishing their position in the art world as contemporaries who will stop at nothing to get noticed. 

Banksy – Little is known about the elusive graffiti artist (who till this day hasn’t been officially identified) and his criminal nature is what has drawn so much attention to his work. A modern day anarchist, Banksy’s subjects covers a multitude of daily vices drawing inspiration from pollution, African poverty, governmental influence, the war on terror, and adultery.  A true artistic renegade, Banksy’s work and history will one day resonate as the true start of the modern anti-art movement. Recently, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt put down $400,000 to own a Bansky piece a sign that this artists work will only appreciate in value. Suddenly makes you want to rip down some of his wheat pasting that line the Lower East Side, eh?

Terry Richardson – The photographer which questions the sexual depravity of todays youth, Terry Richardson’s kick to the balls style has garnered attention from mainstreamers looking to connect to indies everywhere. Often the subject of his own work, Terry explores the dirty little things that turn us on, the celebrity figures that influence our popular culture, and takes fashion photography to new heights with a gritty perversion that blurs the line between art and pornography.  A rebel without a cause, Terry’s own addiction level involvement with sex and his own phallus has given us some of the most controversial pieces every developed from a cheap little Sure Shot. 

David LaChappelle – One of the most visually engaging artists of today, David LaChappelle is a true voyeur of celebrity culture.  Transcending photography his feature film Rise was a stunning orgasm for the eyes and his continued shoots and fashion spreads have changed society’s perception of Hollywood. And how can you not love the man that put Amanda Lepore on the map.

Shepard Fairey - Andre the Giant has a Posse may remain the defining piece for this artist, but his more recent work focussed around Barack Obama is what will cement Shepard as a true creative for indies everywhere.  The founding father and mastermind behind OBEY, Shepard has taken the merger of art and commerce to a new level by forgoing the galleries for the runway with a collection of graphic tees that have allowed thousands to wear their art on their sleeves. 

Takashi Murakami – While it’s his collaboration with Louis Vuitton that has garnered this artist the most statewide praise, it’s his years as a contemporary craftsmen in Japan that will deserve this indie his memory.  Exploring themes in anime and sex, Takashi’s work has created a tailspin of interest in Japan’s hypervisual culture.  With a new collection on the horizon with Marc Jacobs and a highly successful exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, Murakami will most likely become a major influencer on style and the art scene.

Agyness Deyn

Victoria Beckham

Christian Louboutin designs

Alber Elbaz

Serge Normant

Hitting the newsstands is September is Glamour magazine. Normally Glamour is always hitting the right notes; a fun read to divulge into the world of beauty, fashion, news, and tips (not before Fashionindie of course), but we can’t say we agree with one of their articles in the making. Glamour is set to release an article, in their September issue, featuring “Seven People Who Could Change Your Style”. The list is less than impressive. The seven “fashionistas” include Pat McGrath, Victoria Beckham, Christian Louboutin, Alber Elbaz, Takashi Murakami, Serge Normant, and Agyness Deyn. Though many of these men and women have made significant names for themselves, I think it’s a little overboard to say that these seven people would change anyones style. Don’t get me wrong, their individual and unique and they let their clothes speak for themselves, but to say they start the trend? It’s ridiculous!

Thanks to fashionista for the pic!

This exhibit is worth it’s gum dropped weight in neon plastic. If you know anything about Takashi Murakami, then you probably know the the label “Japanese Warhol,” too.

And if you’ve heard anything about this show, you’ve probably heard about the Louis Vuitton shop, hawking the artist’s collaborations with the fashion label.  Yeah, folks if you missed out on the now sold out collaboration, this is your chance to pick up some ebay worthy finds.

The surface-obsessed Murakami calls the store “the heart of the exhibition,” but the more than 90 career-spanning works that you’ll also find here—who can forget the anime girl jumping a rope fashioned from the milk spurting from her oversize breasts?—should help lay bare the artist prone to making just such a seamlessly “controversial” claim.

Brooklyn Museum 200 Eastern Pkwy., Brooklyn, NY 11238 at Washington Ave 718-638-5000