Google celebrates Summer Solstice with Takashi Murakami’s ‘First day of summer’ doodle

To celebrate and welcome the event of Summer Solstice, or the longest day of the year, Google has featured Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami's creation, tagged First Day of Summer.

The doodle is a representation of a day when Earth and the moon's axial tilt is closest to the Sun. Commonly referred to as Midsummer, the Summer Solstice is observed on the 21st of June every year on the Northern Hemisphere with festivals, gatherings, rituals and other celebrations. However, in the Southern Hemisphere, the event is celebrated only in December.

Takashi Murakami's works are very popular in the contemporary art world particularly his Superflat paintings and figurines. Besides his works in the fine arts media, Murakami is also known for his artistic creations in the digital and commercial media.

In November 2003, Murakami's works were widely reported as being among the most desired in the world. His recent venture of artwork exhibition at the Palace of Versailles in France in September, 2010 received much critical acclaim and recognition.