Takashi Murakami's Kaikai Kiki Studio is apprently hit by the ecomonic crisis as well?

Now. Don't get me wrong I've been a fan of Takashi Murakami for some time. His superflat pop art grabbed my eye the first time I saw it. He's a hugely successful artist, and a high grossing one at that, pop art lending itself to countless licensing deals, from coffee table books to handbags. Thus when an artist friend pointed out this craigslist ad (***Studio Internships (Dec 17 - Jan 23)*** (Long Island City (Queens)) to me, I was also surprised to see "unpaid internship" on the bill.

Studio Internships for Takashi Murakami's Kaikai Kiki Studio in Long Island City, Queens 

*This is an unpaid internship position with transportation assistance for the Metro ($4.00 per day) [bold is mine]

Really Takashi? A 4 dollar per diem? Not even lunch? I have to say I'm disappointed to not see artists who have made it supporting aspiring artists. Just because it can be mass produced pop art doesn't mean it has be be run like a corporation.

Mommy? Are we really really religious, or really really racist this Christmas?

 

The cross is compact when not in use.

Oh my, religious nutjobs will never cease to amaze me. As if the plethora of inflatable glowing nativity scenes popping up aren't enough of an eyesore, we have this little gem, the Christmas Cross. Let's just hope this thing doesn't have a "candle effect" setting. [via Gizmodo ]