Gauntlet Gallery — Takashi Murakami Print Index
Melting DOB (First Edition)
Summary
"Melting DOB (First Edition)" is a 2021 painted cast-vinyl sculpture from Takashi Murakami, published by Perrotin in an edition of 300 and produced in Japan by Kaikai Kiki Co. Ltd. Standing roughly 31.5 cm tall on a metallic disk stand, it renders Mr. DOB — the artist's foundational avatar — as a molten swirl of red and blue whose warped white rings spell out the character's own name.
Why It Matters
Mr. DOB is Murakami's origin point — the self-portrait-as-mascot he introduced in the early 1990s to interrogate Japanese consumer identity. This 2021 figure marks the character's 28th anniversary, reframing DOB not as a fixed logo but as a liquefying form. It compresses Murakami's core themes — Superflat, otaku culture, brand-as-art — into a single tabletop object.
Collector Perspective
The dual-faced design is the draw here: one profile bares carnivorous fangs and clashing eyes for a maniacal read, while the reverse turns half-lidded and roguish. Collectors get two "moods" in one object, rewarding rotation and display flexibility. As an edition of 300 released through Perrotin, it sits in a desirable band — scarce enough to matter, accessible enough to enter a focused DOB collection.
Historical Context
Murakami built Mr. DOB from Japanese slang and cartoon lineage, evolving the character across paintings, plush, and vinyl for three decades. His Superflat theory collapsed the boundary between fine art and commercial graphics, and DOB became its recurring test case. The "melting" treatment continues a long thread in which Murakami distorts, multiplies, and mutates his signature motif to keep it unstable and alive.
FAQ
What is Mr. DOB and why does he appear melting?
Mr. DOB is Murakami's first signature character, functioning as an artist avatar. The melting treatment distorts DOB's familiar rings and features into swirling red and blue, marking the character's 28th anniversary and reflecting Murakami's habit of mutating his own motifs.
How large is the edition and who produced it?
The First Edition was released in a limited run of 300, published by Perrotin and made in Japan by Kaikai Kiki Co. Ltd., Murakami's own studio and production company.
What material is the figure made from?
It is painted cast vinyl mounted on a metallic disk stand, measuring approximately 25.3 x 31.5 x 18.1 cm including the stand.
Why does the figure have two different faces?
By design, the sculpture is dual-personality: one side shows fangs and polychromatic eyes for a maniacal look, while the other shows half-lidded eyes and a roguish grin, giving collectors two distinct expressions in one object.
About the Artist
Takashi Murakami (b. 1962, Tokyo) is one of the most influential artists of the postwar era, credited with dissolving the boundary between fine art and popular culture. Trained in Nihonga, the tradition of Japanese painting, he earned a PhD from the Tokyo University of the Arts before formulating Superflat — a theory connecting the flattened perspective of Edo-period painting to the visual language of anime, manga, and consumer culture. Through his studio and company Kaikai Kiki, Murakami has produced paintings, sculpture, film, and a vast catalogue of prints populated by recurring characters such as Mr. DOB, his smiling flowers, and the mascots Kaikai and Kiki. His high-profile collaborations — with Louis Vuitton, Kanye West, and others — helped define the modern intersection of art, fashion, and streetwear.
Collecting Takashi Murakami at Gauntlet Gallery
Where can I buy authentic Takashi Murakami prints?
Gauntlet Gallery sources Murakami prints and editions through established secondary-market channels and vets each piece for authenticity and condition before listing.
How are Murakami prints authenticated?
Most Kaikai Kiki editions are numbered and accompanied by documentation. We verify edition details, publisher, and condition, and note any certificates or stamps present on the individual piece.
What drives value in a Murakami print?
Edition size, character (flowers, Mr. DOB, and Kaikai/Kiki motifs are especially sought), production quality (silkscreen and cold-stamp finishes over plain offset), condition, and any collaboration or exhibition tie-in all influence collector demand.