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Tuesday, 21st June 2011
In General Japan News,

Japanese artist commemorates summer solstice with Google doodle

Although it may not seem like it, summer is now officially here and today (June 21st) is the longest day of the year: Summer Solstice.

To celebrate today, the first day of summer, Google has commissioned famous Japanese artist Takashi Murakami to draw their Google doodle for today.

The flowery and aptly bright cartoon, called The First Day of Summer, appeared on the search engine's homepage today and will probably remain there until this evening.

Jo Adetunji, writing for the Guardian newspaper, described Murakami's usual style.

"Murakami's work is usually known for its appropriation of high art forms such as sculpture, which he then melds with low art themes from pop culture to mass media," she wrote.

"He has produced a variety of contemporary work from 30ft sculptures to paintings."

Google's logo on its homepage changes on some special days, whether to celebrate the birthday of the late Les Paul or the recent lunar eclipse.

Written by Susan Ballion