In January 2010, two hand-embroidered tapestries by Takashi Murakami, created in collaboration with Louis Vuitton, were exhibited in the Louis Vuitton Champs-Elysées Maison in Paris. The round carpet was titled "Flowerball," and the square carpet was titled "Pink Time." These stunning pieces were a true testament to the collaborative efforts of skilled artisans and designers. The production process involved actual-sized printouts of the rug data, and the rugs were hand-tufted in an Indian rug factory using the finest quality New Zealand wool. Each rug was signed and numbered by the artist himself, and only 20 rugs were produced in a limited edition. The making of the Murakami-designed rugs is a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration.
The making of the Murakami-designed rugs for Louis Vuitton is a testament to skilled craftsmanship and attention to detail. The rugs were hand-tufted in an Indian rug factory with a long and distinguished history. Actual-sized printouts of the rug data were made on semi-transparent film, which were then brought to India by the Kaikai Kiki design team to E. Hill and Company, the chosen production house by Louis Vuitton.
At the factory, the printouts were laid on top of the rugs, and the team checked for any deviations from the original design. The process ensured that the intricate details of the designs were brought to life by skilled artisans.
Kaikai Kiki Co. was founded by Takashi Murakami in 2001, and it has evolved from its predecessor, the Hiropon Factory, which was founded in 1996. The enterprise's goals include the production and promotion of artwork, the management and support of select young artists, general management of events and projects, and the production and promotion of merchandise.
To create these collector art pieces, the tapestries were woven from the finest quality New Zealand wool using the lock stitching method. Each square centimeter employs about 20 knots, epitomizing skilled craftsmanship. The rugs were produced in two sizes: 2m and 3m diameter for the "Flower Mat" and 2x2m or 3x3m for the "Monogram Enlightenment." Each rug is numbered and signed by the artist himself, and only 20 rugs were produced in a limited edition.
The production of each rug took at least four months. The time and effort invested in creating these stunning art pieces are a testament to Murakami's unique style and Louis Vuitton's luxury craftsmanship.
In conclusion, the production process of the Murakami-designed rugs for Louis Vuitton is a testament to the collaborative efforts of skilled artisans and designers. From the actual-sized printouts of the rug data to the lock stitching method using the finest quality New Zealand wool, each step was carefully executed to bring the designs to life. The limited edition rugs are a true collector's item and a stunning example of the power of creativity and collaboration.