Takashi Murakami: Enso

In his book, Japanese artist Takashi Murakami resumes his work on the enso circle, a fundamental motif of Japanese calligraphy, symbolizing the void, unity and infinity in Zen Buddhism. The book thus presents both his new paintings — some of which were only at the stage of study in the previous opus — in which the artist uses his recurring motifs (flowers and skulls), as well as new documentary images: new studies, realization of paintings in his studio. The enso paintings result from a calm, spiritual approach. The enso is the prerequisite of every artistic act, a moment when the mind leaves the body the freedom of creation. Traditionally traced with a brush in a single gesture, both spontaneous and controlled, the circle ensures no backtracking.