By Grant McGuire

Initially chosen as a mere marketing ploy to drum up business for a third album, the cover of Kanye West’s double platinum, Grammy-winning “Graduation” has become one of the most distinct album covers in recent years. Sure the artwork, by Takashi Murakami, helped him defeat 50 Cent in a silly sales competition, but impact of the image has stuck long after.

The main reason for that: it’s a strange image. Yet it’s not the off-putting strange of his first two albums (“The College Dropout” and “Late Registration”) or the disgusting weirdness of “808s & Heartbreaks,” but rather a strangeness that boasts a cool vibe. As odd as the work may be, it is a joyous explosion of energy and color. Notice the way the pink background contrasts with the rest to make the bear and building; the pink draws you in and then diverts your eyes to the rest of the piece, like a series of flashing lights. Like the vocoder on “Stronger,” the images are downright hypnotic.

For any true lover hip-hop music, this piece is simply a must to make any rec room wall stronger. Additionally, considering Murakami’s style, I would highly recommend this piece to any fan of magna, a.k.a. Japanese comic books. Although a large majority of magna are printed it black & white, this work precisely in that drawing style, particularly with the over exaggerated sizes. This is not surprising considering Takashi Murakami has worked in this genre, and is lead creator ofpoku; a form of art which focuses on Japan’s music and magna. It’s no wonder he made Time Top 100 in 2008.

Though the collaboration between Kanye West and ARTIST may seem unlikely at first, reflect that this the same rapper who has collaborated in the past with Jon Brion and Chris Martin, as well as sampled Ray Charles and Daft Punk. Neither Kanye nor ARTIST has ever been known to play it safe.

However, you do not have to be a fan of hip-hop or magna to appreciate this piece. It is such an explosive marriage of ideas and colors that any room will be given a new life by having this masterwork adorning the wall. It is indeed a brilliant send-off to Mr. West’s “college trilogy” of albums. And besides, if the sight of a bear wearing people clothes doesn’t produce even a small chuckle, you should check your pulse.