At Art 40 Basel, Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin presented a 6-foot Takashi Murakami sculpture, made in collaboration with the U.S. record producer and designer Pharrell Williams. The object is titled The Simple Things. It features a glass-fiber, steel and acrylic head based on Takashi Murakami’s cartoon-inspired signature character Mr. Dob. In its mouth you find objects which are the essentials in Pharrell Williams’ everyday life: A can of Pepsi, a cup cake, a sneaker and bottle of Johnsons baby lotion. These objects are encrusted with 26?000 diamonds and gems.
In this interview with Ute Thon (Art Magazin), Pharrell Williams talks about how collaboration with Takashi Murakami came about, the idea behind the sculpture, his interest in art and design, the artists and designers he admires, and his own design works.
Art 40 Basel 2009, First Choice and Preview, June 9, 2009.
