Hi everybody … and if I haven’t said so already … Happy New Year! I’ve been a little slow out of the gate as we march boldly into 2013, and maybe that because the prospect of facing a full year that ends in the number 13 is really freaking me out. That’s 365 days, for crying out loud! But we can discuss that particularly phobia at another time, because it’s Thursday, and here’s my first artist profile of the new year!
This week I’d like to introduce you to the truly mind-boggling art of Tokyo-based artist and sculptor Kazuki Takamatsu. By now you’re probably scratching your heads, wondering as I did, “How the heck does he do that?” Are they paintings? Computer generated 3D models? Or some bizarre yet beautiful hybrid?
The answer is that Takamatsu marries digital imaging and traditional painting techniques, combining acrylic and gouache painting with modern Depth Map techniques, which adds a realistic 3-D depth field effect to the drawn objects that appears to glow like a hologram.
But aside from his technique, it’s the themes of his work that are truly challenging. Takamatsu uses his art as a platform for social comment and criticism, which range from gun cultures, electronic information, eco-instability, peer pressure and the ever-increasing loss of identity in an electronic age.
His images present an almost childlike dreamscape of young, nubile girls who seem at once innocent and corrupted (“Too Much Information”, “Hunting”) , and their ghostlike appearance strips them of human identity. Things may look dreamlike, but the very real world threat of guns and violence are still ever-present, something to think about in these gun crazy times.
His work is psychedelic, mesmerizing, haunting, sensual, disturbing, thought-provoking and utterly original. Ladies and gentlemen, I present the art of Kazuki Takamatsu.
Stephen Kelly Creative 
I think these are some of the most beautiful and troubling images you’ve published!
Hi Victoria! Glad you liked these. I thought you might. But agreed, his work is very complex, really challenging, I would say not for all tastes.
They are amazing. He seems to prefer the female body – I feel cheated. 🙂 And I am also glad to hear I’m not the only one freaked out with the 13 bit – amazing because I don’t let many things bother me. It amazed me a little that there was no public commentary about it – at least in the things I read. Maybe we will just have to be weird together and in hushed silence.
Hey Pat! Can I get an “Amen” with the whole 2013 thing?!?! Maybe people were too freaked out with that whole Mayan Apocalypse hub-bub to notice. It’s gonna take diligent, committed people like us with similar 13 phobias to alert the world, Pat. Can I get an “Amen?”
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow. Creative to say the least. Interesting.
I just thought of the 13 thing the other day, and like Pat, never heard anyone mention that as the year rang in. I think people were so relieved that we got past 12/21 that they didn’t mind 2013.
Hello Angeline! Maybe people were so relieved that the world didn’t come to an end in December that a year ending in 13 doesn’t seem like a big deal … but, oh, it is!!!
Hi Stephen!!! Disturbing indeed!!! But I have to say I like very much most of them!!!! “Guardian” I could choose if pressed…
The use of the skulls together with these children…It is like during the XVII century…”Tempus fugit”…Life is fragile and death starts from the very beginning of life…
Thanks for sharing these works with us…And thanks for coming back!
Hi Ilargia … excellent analogy concerning the skulls in his work. Glad you liked this really challenging work!
Oh … it’s nice to be back!!!
This is amazing … and Happy New Year to you too. Don’t really what so say .. because I’m so taken by his art. If could have one for free … and choice was mine – would I chose the one with the floating woman .. handbag and book.
Thank you ever so much for sharing this with me – I’m stunned – how creative and clever this Kazuki are.
Hi Viveka! Indeed, very challenging, interesting work. Glad you connected with it.
Brilliant artist !!!!
Stephen, these are wonderful. Eerie, futuristic, out of the box, fresh, frightening, and so much more. I love them!!
Hi Judy! Funny, as I was putting this collection together I thought to myself, “Judy is gonna LOVE this!” I knew you would get it! And I’m glad you did!
🙂 🙂 🙂
Mind-boggling indeed! And I love that three dimensional quality. Thought they were glass sculptures before I read your text 🙂
Hey Madhu … exactly. The first time I saw his work I couldn’t tell what format he was working in. Pretty interesting artist.
These are all so amazing and quite haunting at the same time.
Hi Debby, and thanks for stopping by! Gald you liked this collection. Agreed. They’re at once mesmerizing and disturbing. Cool stuff!
Creepy! But you know, beautiful! 😉
Hi Ioanna … as you know, that disturbing/beautiful thing is right up my alley!