Perhaps more than any other contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami has compressed the traditionally perceived gap between the so-called ‘fine’ and commercial art spheres. For each of his large-scale sculptures, small inexpensive figurines are also available. His methods of production are more than a little reminiscent of Andy Warhol’s famous ‘Factory’ in the 1960s, which churned out hundreds of silk-screened paintings. His retrospective exhibition (aptly titled ‘© MURAKAMI’) at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, California, incorporated a fully functional Louis Vuitton boutique where visitors could purchase limited-edition Murakami-designed handbags. An important aspect of Murakami’s practice is his company Kaikai Kiki, which oversees the production of his fine art practice as well as his general merchandise, including toys, key rings and clothing. 
 

Feature image: Works from Murakami’s ‘mini Museum set’ installed for ‘Multiple Choice’, with Jeff Koons’s Art magazine ads (portfolio) 1988–89 in the background, GOMA, July 2010 / © The artists / Photograph: N Harth, QAGOMA