The Yasumasa Morimura exhibit was fascinating. I am always curious to learn more about people who have weird interests or hobbies, and this was no different. Morimura is unique in that he actually becomes the art that inspires him. The piece that resonated with me most was his recreations of Olympia. Morimura mentioned in the movie that when he dresses up as these figures, he begins to feel like them. As Olympia, he must have felt like a part of history and a representation of the beginnings of feminism because the painting is such a classic. And the fact that he can bend between genders so easily in many of his artworks depicts artistic freedom that makes his work so interesting. In the same way, we finally see these famous works of art being depicted through an Asian lens. That creates for an interesting diffusion of cultures. The best part of that was looking at how he depicted American culture. The way he dressed up as Marilyn Monroe and stood up in front of a bunch of asian students caught my eye because that probably was commentary on how the Japanese viewed American culture in the 20th century. The kids were in awe of the superstar American figure standing before them.

Also, remember how a lot of us felt like art seems like upper class type of stuff and super elegant and whatnot? What I loved about Morimura is he didn’t hold back at all and put himself into whatever he wanted including works by legendary Diego Velazquez and Albrecht Durer. He even portrayed himself the goat Marilyn Monroe proudly and with all the confidence in the world. I believe his purpose in these images is about reducing the burden of identity. Probably the reason why he feels so great in costume, he’s really becoming into a super star actress, or a warrior from the 19th century, or even the classical Mona Lisa. Whatever it may be, he embodies the subject through the use of costumes. Something about this kind of conviction in his art makes his works so exciting and intriguing. A little confusing and wtf, but super badass 8)