i checked out bye bye kitty this past weekend at the japan society…for once not on the last weekend it was open, which seems to be de rigeur for any exhibit i want to see. the artwork ranged from gorgeous to banal to downright disturbing (i’m looking at you, blood circulation video thingy). one artist though plain and simply blew my mind…manabu ikeda. his giant pieces of work are highly detailed compositions of surreal landscapes and environments, recognizable for their distinct melding of traditional japanese qualities with modern details. he draws the way i probably think i draw in my mind.

the piece i loved the most was the history of rise and fall (up top), which is obscenely detailed. i need to learn some oceans eleven style skills and acquire that thing somehow.