Thursday, January 22, 2009

Tatsuyuki Tanaka - Cannabis Works


Tatsuyuki Tanaka has been around for ages, (he even worked on the computer graphics for the original Akira anime) and yet, little is known about his works. I bought this amazing hardback book, entitled 'Cannabis Works' whilst living in Japan, 4 years ago and I still pick it up to this day and can re-immerse myself into his amazing illustrations. Apparently, the style of drawing is known as 'Superflat'.




Superflat is a postmodern art movement, founded by the artist Takashi Murakami, which is influenced by manga and anime. It is also the name of a 2001 art exhibition, curated by Murakami, that toured West Hollywood, Minneapolis and Seattle.


The term is used by Murakami to refer to various flattened forms in Japanese graphic art, animation, pop culture and fine arts, as well as the "shallow emptiness of Japanese consumer culture."


A self-proclaimed art movement, it was a successful piece of niche marketing, a branded art phenomenon designed for Western audiences.


Tatsuyuki also made this classic Nike animated ad featuring Lebron James

If you want to see the whole book, scanned for your viewing pleasure, then please go HERE.

[VIA]